Paul McCartney to Sell Rare Beatlemania Photographs at Gagosian
A glimpse of pop history through the eyes of one of its greatest makers.
A trove of Paul McCartney’s recently rediscovered photographs is set to hit Gagosian’s Beverly Hills outpost. Showcasing 36 works taken between December 1963 and February 1964, some previously unseen, the exhibition offers an intimate slice of life during the height of Beatlemania. The exhibition runs parallel to the ongoing Eyes of the Storm tour, which has made stops at the Brooklyn Museum and London’s National Portrait Gallery, though for this show, the Beatle has teamed up with the gallery to produce and sell signed print editions with a portion of proceeds going toward ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in Southern California.
Just as their music captured the hearts of generations, so too did McCartney on his 35mm Pentax camera. Fresh off the number one album With the Beatles and the group’s first U.K. tour, the show traces the journey of the artist alongside bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr as they rose to global stardom. “Looking at these photos now, decades after they were taken, I find there’s a sort of innocence about them,” he said, reflecting on the era. “Everything was new to us at this point. They now bring back so many stories, a flood of special memories, which is one of the many reasons I love them all, and know that they will always fire my imagination.”
From candid mirror portraits to dynamic flicks of car-chasing fans, the images stand as a testament to McCartney’s talents as a musician and visual artist, reflecting influences of 1960s photography styles and a retro flair. Shot between Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington DC and Miami, the show a presents an inside glimpse of pop history through the eyes of one of its greatest makers.
The exhibition will be on view in Los Angeles from April 25 through June 21.
Gagosian Beverly Hils
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
