Simon Claridge | Terry O'Neill: Diamond Dust

The complete new collection, Terry O’Neill: Diamond Dust by Simon Claridge in collaboration with Terry O’Neill.

“WHEN IT COMES TO PHOTOGRAPHIC LEGENDS THERE CAN BE FEW MORE PROLIFIC OR REVERED THAN TERRY O’NEILL , THE MAN WHO SHOT THE GREATS.”

– VOGUE

FOREWORD

In his latest collection of limited edition diamond dust silkscreen prints, Simon Claridge has taken iconic images from the hallowed archives of legendary English photographer Terry O’Neill. In a career spanning more than half a century, O’Neill pioneered the iconic celebrity portrait and became famed for his instinct and ability to capture his subjects in candid, and sometimes unorthodox, poses and locations. Charismatic and charming, O’Neill possesses the elusive quality, as powerful as it is indefinable, that puts people at ease in his presence. His portraits, which can be found hanging in galleries and private collections around the world, are a visual timeline chronicling the movements of major names from the Hollywood elite, to rock and roll stars and even royalty from the 1960s onwards. He has been credited with changing the face of photography, and was recognised by The Royal Society of Arts with a rare Centenary Medal, of which only one dozen have ever been awarded. Representing a worldwide first, O’Neill’s photography has never before been translated into a silkscreen print, much less had Claridge’s signature diamond dust treatment. Keen that his interpretation should celebrate and not dominate these seminal portraits,

Claridge’s vision for this body of work was, above all, to retain the essence of the original exposures. His silkscreen renderings with diamond dust have been executed thoughtfully, to showcase the style of both artists, ensuing these editions sit comfortably alongside both parties’ previous collections. Adding to the self-imposed pressure Claridge felt in working with some of O’Neill’s most famous portraits, he also found himself faced with technical challenges during the production of this edition. So beautifully lit are the original images, he found the reproduction stretched even his expertise with the silkscreen printing process. Also an accomplished photographer himself, Claridge has long admired the work of Terry O’Neill. For that admiration now to be mutual is a source of great pride for him. Putting paid to the common misconception that one must never meet their heroes for fear of them not living up to expectations, Claridge describes the collaboration as “a meeting of minds” between two fellow artists, each with an appreciation for the other’s style. After a career spent photographing and meeting his own idols, it is rather fitting for O’Neill that this project should render him the subject of a creative output from a fellow artist, especially one who holds him in the same regard as O’Neill held the icons he captured with his lens.

PORTFOLIO COLLECTION SET OF 6 EDITIONS

Silkscreen on Paper with Diamond Dust in Presentation Box | Framed £5,500 Silkscreen on Canvas with Diamond Dust | Framed £16,950 Silkscreen on Canvas with Diamond Dust presentation style shown here.

SIMON CLARIDGE

Blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, Simon Claridge’s work is meticulously considered and crafted to suspend time and evoke an emotional response from onlookers; “My goal is to leave to the viewer some tangible emotional feeling”. From his beginnings as a graduate of Fine Art, his career has been governed by the pursuit of doing what he was undoubtedly born to do. From studying art, to working in a gallery to subsidise his painting, to having his worked displayed in galleries nationwide, art is the consistent theme that courses through his resume. Since being signed to Washington Green, the UK’s leading fine art publishers, Claridge has enjoyed many accolades in his career to date: he was commissioned by Alfa Romeo, created artwork on request for Henry Holland and counts LA stylist Rachel Zoe among his collectors. Every piece by Claridge commences its metamorphosis on a page in his sketchbook, wherein the formal reduction of the source and reference begins. Thus his painstaking process evolves, based predominantly on trial, error and “gut instinct”. Perhaps most famously used by Andy Warhol, Claridge has since made diamond dust an elemental

component of his artistic oeuvre, using it to add the glamour that his subjects command. The luminous effect is both beautiful and alluring, and heightens an already overwhelming sensory experience. Diamond dust elevates this body of work to an intriguing truth; no two people will view the same piece in the same way. The sheen created by the diamond dust dictates that it will reflect differently according to the light sources around it, and the same piece will appear transformed. His portfolio showcases a selection of popular cultural icons throughout history – from the worlds of film, fashion, modelling and music – in glorious detail. As a renowned figurative artist, Simon Claridge has made it his raison d’être to capture images that strike a chord with his wider audience. Claridge also visually acknowledges and chronicles timeless society figures from the annals of music history, the catwalks of the fashion world as well as cinematic greats. His most recent collections, produced in collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox, Playboy and Brigitte Bardot, have cemented his standing on the UK art scene.

TERRY O’NEILL

Terry O’Neill is one of the world’s most collected photographers with work hanging in national art galleries and private collections worldwide. From presidents to pop stars he has photographed the frontline of fame for over six decades. O’Neill began his career at the birth of the 1960s. While other photographers concentrated on earthquakes, wars and politics, O’Neill realised that youth culture was a breaking news story on a global scale and began chronicling the emerging faces of film, fashion and music who would go on to define the Swinging Sixties. By 1965 he was being commissioned by the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world.

No other living photographer has embraced the span of fame, capturing the icons of our

age from Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Amy Winehouse, from Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot to Nicole Kidman, as well as every James Bond from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. He photographed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were still struggling young bands in 1963, pioneered backstage reportage photography with David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry and his images have adorned historic rock albums, movie posters and international magazine covers. He was awarded The Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal in 2011, placing him among only a dozen elite and eminent figures to receive it ‘in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography’.

The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2017. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission.

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