David LaChapelle is known internationally for his exceptional talent in combining a unique hyper-realistic aesthetic with profound social messages. LaChapelle’s photography career began in the 1980’s when he began showing his artwork in New York City galleries. His work caught the eye of Andy Warhol, who offered him his first job as a photographer at Interview Magazine. His photographs of celebrities in Interview garnered positive attention, and before long he was shooting for a variety of top editorial publications and creating some of the most memorable advertising campaigns of his generation.
LaChapelle’s striking images have graced the covers and pages of Italian Vogue, French Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Stone and i-D, and he has photographed personalities as diverse as Tupac Shakur, Madonna, Amanda Lepore, Eminem, Philip Johnson, Lance Armstrong, Pamela Anderson, Lil’ Kim, Uma Thurman, Elizabeth Taylor, David Beckham, Paris Hilton, Jeff Koons, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hillary Clinton, Muhammad Ali, and Britney Spears, to name a few.
After establishing himself as a fixture in contemporary photography, LaChapelle decided to branch out and direct music videos, live theatrical events, and documentary films. His directing credits include music videos for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Moby, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, The Vines and No Doubt. His stage work includes Elton John’s The Red Piano and the Caesar’s Palace spectacular he designed and directed in 2004. His burgeoning interest in film led him to make the short documentary Krumped, an award-winner at Sundance from which he developed RIZE, the feature film acquired for worldwide distribution by Lion’s Gate Films. The film was released in the US and internationally in the Summer of 2005 to huge critical acclaim, and was chosen to open the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
In 2006, LaChapelle decided to minimize his participation in commercial photography, and return to his roots by focusing on fine art photography. Since then, he has been the subject of exhibitions in both commercial galleries and leading public institutions around the world. He has had record breaking solo museum exhibitions at the Barbican Museum, London (2002), Palazzo Reale, Milan (2007), Museo del Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, Mexico City (2009), the Musee de La Monnaie, Paris (2009), the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel. In 2011, he has had a major exhibition of new work at The Lever House, New York and retrospectives at the Museo Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (through March 2012), the Hangaram Design Museum in Seoul (through February 2012) and Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague (through February 2012).
David LaChapelle continues to be inspired by everything from art history and street culture, to the Hawaiian jungle in which he lives, projecting an image of twenty-first century pop culture through his work that is both loving and critical. He is quite simply the only photographic artist working today who has transitioned flawlessly from the world of fashion and celebrity photography to be enshrined by the notoriously discerning contemporary art intelligentsia.
David Lachapelle
Request about this work
2009
24 x 55 inch / 60 x 140 cm, 35 x 80 inch / 90 x 200 cm, 52 x 120 inch / 130 x 300 cm
Chromogenic print
Venus and Mars
ca. 1484
Tempera on panel
69 x 173 cm
The National Gallery, London
Inspiration source for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the David LaChapelle Studio.
The Rape of Africa
23 x 20 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
graphite on paper
The Rape of Africa
23 x 40 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
watercolor, collage, graphite on paper
The Rape of Africa
23 x 20 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
watercolor, collage, graphite on paper
The Rape of Africa
23 x 40 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
watercolor, collage, graphite on paper
The Rape of Africa
23 x 20 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
watercolor, collage, graphite on paper
The Rape of Africa
23 x 40 cm
Study for the book 'The Rape Of Africa' produced by Reflex Amsterdam in collaboration with the artist.
2009
watercolor, collage, graphite on paper
from the series
Awakened
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Awakened
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Museum
60 x 80 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Awakened
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Awakened
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
60 x 80 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Museum
80 x 60 cm
2007
Chromogenic print
from the series
Jesus Is My Homeboy
75 x 100 cm
2003
Chromogenic print
from the series
Jesus Is My Homeboy
50 x 60 cm | 75 x 100 cm | 125 x 150 cm
2003
Chromogenic print
Chromogenic print
50 x 60 cm | 75 x 100 cm | 125 x 150 cm
2005
Chromogenic print
50 x 60 cm | 75 x 100 cm | 125 x 150 cm
2005
Chromogenic print
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2006
Chromogenic print
50 x 60 cm | 75 x 100 cm | 125 x 150 cm
2006
Chromogenic print
60 x 50 cm | 100 x 75 cm | 150 x 125 cm
2004
Chromogenic print
(white)
50 x 50 cm | 75 x 75 cm | 125 x 125 cm
2003
Chromogenic print
50 x 60 cm | 75 x 100 cm | 125 x 150 cm
1997
Chromogenic print
SOLO GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
2015
“Palazzo della Esposizioni” Rome, Italy
“Hamster—Hipster—Hand: Under the Spellbound of the Mobile Phone” MUSEUM ANGEWANDTE KUNST, Frankfurt, Germany
2014
“American Cool,” NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, Washington, D.C.
“Land Scape,” PAUL KASMIN GALLERY, New York
2013
“Gas Stations,” MARUANI & NOIRHOMEE GALLERY, Brussels
“Still Life,” GALERIE DANIEL TEMPLON, Paris
2012
“Still Life,” PAUL KASMIN GALLERY, New York
“Burning Beauty,” FOTOGRAFISKA MUSEET, Stockholm
“Addicted to Passion,” Arendt & MEDERNAC, Luxemberg
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” FRED TORRES COLLABORATIONS, New York
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” ROBILANT + VOENA, London and Milan
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” REFORMIERTE DORFKIRCHE, St. Moritz
“Jesus is my Homeboy,” JABLONKA GALERIE, Cologne, Germany
2011
“Coctail Culture,” NORTON MUSEUM OF ART, West Palm Beach, Florida
“NosOtros,” MUSEUO ARTE CONTEMPORANEO DE PUERTO RICO, Puerto Rico
“Thus Spoke LaChapelle,” GALERIE RUDOLFINUM, Prague
“Negative Currency,” PRISM GALLERY, Los Angeles
“Lost and Found,” GALERIA MESTA BRATISLAVY, Bratislava
“The Raft,” DE SARTHE FINE ART, Hong Kong
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” MARUANI & NOIRHOMME, Knokke
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” KESTNER GESELLSCHAFT, Hanover
2010
“Documents of Desire and Disaster” PAUL KASMIN GALLERY, Istanbul
“American Jesus,” PAUL KASMIN GALLERY, New York
“The Rape of Africa,” ROBILANT + VOENA, London
“Eden,” ALAINE NOIRHOMME GALLERY, Brussels
“Cars + Money,” WOLFGANG ROTH + PARTNERS, Miami
2009
“American Jesus,” SEBASTIAN GUINNESS GALLERY, Dublin
“The Rape of Africa,” DAVIS DESANCTIC GALLERY, Los Angeles
“The Rape of Africa,” GALERIE ALEX DANIELS, Amsterdam
“Jesus is My Homeboy,” WOLFGANG ROTH + PARTNERS, Miami
2008
“Jesus is My Homeboy,” ROBILANT + VOENA, London
“Auguries of Innocence,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
“Jesus is My Homeboy,” ST. MORITZ ART MASTERS, St. Mortitz
“Jesus is My Homeboy,” TEFAF (RAFAEL JABLONKA), Maastricht
2007
“Awakened,” GALERÍA LEYENDECKER, Tenerife
“Awakened,” FRIEZE (RAFAEL JABLONKA), London
“David LaChapelle,” LA GALERIE DELPHINE PASTOR, Monaco
“Awakened,” GOSS GALLERY, Dallas
“Awakened,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
“Heaven to Hell,” JABLONKA GALERIE, Berlin
2006
“The Other Side #2,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
2005
“David LaChapelle,” GOSS GALLERY, Dallas
“David LaChapelle,” GALERIE ALEX DANIELS, Amsterdam
“David LaChapelle,” MARUNI MOIRHOMME GALLERY, Knokke
“Artists + Prostitutes,” DEITCH PROJECTS, New York 2002 “All American,
” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
2001
“David LaChapelle,” GALLERIA CARLA SOZZANI, Milan
“Fish Stick,” CAMERAWORK GALLERY, Berlin
“David LaChapelle,” PHOTOLOGY (VILA IMPERO), Bologna
“David LaChapelle,” BALDWIN GALLERY, Aspen
2000
“David LaChapelle,” FAHEY KLEIN GALLERY, Los Angeles
1999
“David LaChapelle,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
1997
“LaChapelle Land,” PARCO GALLERY, Tokyo
“LaChapelle Land,” PHOTOLOGY, Milan
1996
“LaChapelle Land,” STALEY WISE GALLERY, New York
1995
“Javier Cibachromes,” TRABIA MACAFEE, New York
1993
“Pom Pom Croissant,” 303 GALLERY, New York
1991
“Facility of Movement,” TOMOKO LIGOURI GALLERY, New York
1989
“Mirrors of Gods + The Intervention of S. Lucy,” TRABIA MACAFEE GALLERY, New York
“Somewhere Better,” TRABIA MACAFEE GALLERY, New York
1988
“Your Needs Met,” 56 BLEECKER STREET, New York
1984
“Angels, Saints, + Martyrs,” 303 GALLERY, New York
“Good News for Modern Man,” 303 GALLERY, New York
SOLO MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
2015
“Fotografias 1984—2013” MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO, Lima, Peru
2012
“Burning Beauty,” FOTOGRAFISKA MUSEET, Stockholm
“David LaChapelle,” Lucca Center of Contemporary Art Museum, Lucca, Italy
“Artist of the Year,” American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum, New York
“David LaChapelle,”Busan, Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, Busan, Korea
2011
“Thus Spoke LaChapelle,” Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague
“David LaChapelle,” SEOUL ARTS CENTER HANGARAM DESIGN MUSEUM, Seoul
“NosOtros: La Humanidad al Borde,” MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEO DE PUERTO RICO, San Juan
2010
“Post Modern Pop Photography,” THE TEL AVIV MUSEUM OF ART, Tel Aviv
“The Rape of Africa,” MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN ART, Toronto
“David LaChapelle,” MOCA TAIPEI, Taipei (Taiwan)
2009
“Delirium of Reason,” MUSEO DE LAS ARTES, Guadalajara
“Delirium of Reason,” ANTIGUO COLEGIO DE SAN ILDEFONSO, Mexico City
“Retrospective,” LA MONNAIE DE PARIS, Paris
2008
“David LaChapelle,” PALAZZO RAELE, Milan
“David LaChapelle,” FORTE DI BELVEDERE, Florence
“David LaChapelle,” FOTOGRAFISKA MUSEET, Stockholm
“Heaven to Hell/ Nellezas y Desastres,” MUBE MUSEUM, San Paolo
“David LaChapelle,” NATIONAL MUSEUM, Krakow
2007
“Men + War,” HELMUT NEWTON FOUNDATION, Berlin
2006
“VIP: Very Important Portraits,” CAPODIMONTE MUSEUM, Naples
2005
“David LaChapelle,” KALS’ART, Palermo, Italy
2003
“All American,” ROCKEFELLER CENTER, New York
2002
“David LaChapelle,” BARBICAN MUSEUM, London
“LACHAPELLE,” KUNSTAUS WIEN, Vienna
2000
“Femmes Plus Que Femmes,” MUSEO DE ARTE BRAZILEIRA, San Paulo
1999
“ 20th Festival de le Mode,” GALLERIES LAFAYETTE, Paris
“Hotel LaChapelle,” PALAZZO DELLE ESPOSIZIONI, Rome
“The Beautiful +Bizarre,” SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, New York
1998
“David LaChapelle,” PALACIO POMBAL, Lisbon
“LaChapelle Land,” LES RECONTRES D’ ARIES, Arles, France
1989
“David LaChapelle,” SANTA FE CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, Santa Fe
“Life Never Dies,” MARS, New York
1986
“Taking Pictures in Fun,” PALLADIUM, New York
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2015
“Hamster—Hipster—Hand: Under the Spellbound of the Mobile Phone” MUSEUM ANGEWANDTE KUNST, Frankfurt, Germany
“The Botticelli Renaissance” GEMÄLDEGALERIE KULTUREFORUM, Berlin, Germany
2014
“Images 2014,” Fairfield Museum and History Center, Fairfield, CT
“Beyond Earth Art,” Cornell University: Johnson Museum of Art, New York
“Possession,” University of Nevada, Sheppard Contemporary, Reno, Nevada
“The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.” BROOKLYN MUSEUM, NYC
“A Queen Within,” WOLRD CHESS HALL OF FAME, Saint Louis, Missouri
“Cabinets de Curiosities,” LE MUSEE SAINTE-CROIX, France
2013
BAYERISCHE STAATSOPER PORTRAIT GALLERY, Munich, Germany
“Masculin Masculin, L’Homme nu dans l’art de 1800 à nos jours (Masculine Masculine, The nude man in art from 1800 to the present day).” MUSEE D’ORSAY, Paris, France
“Those Who Were Seen Dancing Were Thought to be Insane By Those Who Could Not Hear the Music ,” FRIEDMAN BENDA GALLERY, NYC
“Divine Bodies,” Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, UK
“Krakow Photomonth Fesitval,” NATIONAL MUSEUM IN KRAKOW, Krakow, Poland
2012
“About Caravaggio Visioni & Illusioni Contemporanee,” MUSEO TUSCOLANO SCUDERIE ALDOBRANDINI, Rome, Italy
“Earth Laughs in Flowers,” The Solo Project, Basel
“The Haberdashery,” ERIC FIRESTONE GALLERY, East Hampton, NY
“Figure and Form in Contemporary Photography,” LACMA, Los Angeles, CA
“Everywhere and Nowhere,” VILLA JAUSS, Oberstdorf, Germany
“Making History,” MUSEUM FUR MODERNE KUNST FRANKFURT, Frankfurt, Germany
2011
“Cocktail Culture,” NORTON MUSEUM OF FINE ART, Palm Beach
“Daphne Guinness,” FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, New York
“Face Off: Portraits by contemporary Artists,” LYMAN ALLAN ART MUSEUM, New London
“The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier,” THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ART, Montreal
2010
The Mechanical Bride,” MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN ART, Toronto
“Who Shot Rock + Roll,” BROOKLYN MUSEUM, New York
“David LaChapelle,” PHOTO LA presented by LACMA, Los Angeles
“Knock Knock: That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore,” ARMAND BARTOS FINE ART, New York
2009
“Pop My Cherry,” LACMA, Los Angeles
“Pop My Cherry,” PATRICIA LOW CONTEMPORARY, Geneva
“Naked!” PAUL KASMIN GALLERY, New York
“REVERB,” JABLONKA GALERIE, Berlin
2007
“Men, War, + Peace” HELMUT NEWTON FOUNDATION, Berlin
“The Other Side #2” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
2005
“Magritte, Williams, LaChapelle,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
1989
“The Center Show,” THE LESBIAN + GAY CENTER, New York
“Don’t Bungle the Jungle,” TONY SHAFRAZI GALLERY, New York
1988
“Grand Windows,” GRAND CENTRAL STATION, New York
AWARDS
2014
Young Photographs Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award
2012
Keynote Speaker, National Geographic Magazine Photography Seminar
2010
Out in Art Award, GLAAD OutAuction, New York
2004
Best Documentary at Aspen Shortsfest for “Krumped” Special Jury Prize at Mountainfilm in Telluride for
“Krumped” Best Rock Video of the Year for No Doubt’s “It’s My Life” at 13th Annual MVPA Awards
Director of the Year for Christina Aguilera’s “Voice Within,” Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Glad,” and No Doubt’s “It’s My Life” at 13th Annual MVPA Awards
2003
Adult Contemporary Video of the Year for Elton John’s “Original Sin” at 12th Annual MVPA Awards
2000
Best Video for Moby’s “Natural Blues” at the MTV Europe Music Awards
1998
Ranked #11 of “100 Most Important People in Photography,” American Photo magazine
1997
International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Applied Photography
1996
Photographer of the Year at the VH-1 Fashion Awards
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2011
“Thus Spoke LaChapelle,” ?evnice: Arbor Vitae
“NosOtros: la Humanidad al Borde,” San Juan, PR: Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico
2009
“David LaChapelle: the Rape of Africa,” Amsterdam: Reflex,
2006
“LaChapelle, Heaven to Hell,” Köln: Taschen
“LaChapelle, Artists and Prostitutes,” Köln: Taschen
2004
“David LaChapelle,” second edition, Milan: Photology
1999
“Hotel LaChapelle,” Little Brown, Boston 1996
“LaChapelle Land,” Simon & Schuster, New York, in association with Callaway