HOFA Gallery is greatly saddened at the loss of legendary and iconic British photographer, Terry O'Neill CBE. The renowned photographer's last exhibition, a provocative collaboration with artist, Bran Symondson, titled 'Hollywood Reloaded', will now be extended until the 26thNovember at HOFA's gallery on Maddox Street, as mark of respect to Terry.
Born in 1938, Terry O'Neill CBE received critical acclaim for his iconic photographs of Hollywood stars and celebrities in the 60s and 70s, widely recognized as definitive of the era. His portraits of stars like Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, David Bowie and Audrey Hepburn are some of the most memorable from the time. In his 60-year career, Terry O'Neill's amazing repertoire also includes photographs of political icons like Winston Churchill, HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela. In October 2019, Terry was awarded a CBE by the Queen in recognition of his 'Services to Photography'. He has also been honoured by the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.
The 'Hollywood Reloaded’ recently launched at Annabel’s to rave reviews. The exhibition is a bold and brash reinvention of Terry O'Neill's portraits of Hollywood icons posing with guns. Portraits of stars like Michael Caine, Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore, each with sleek firearm in hand, are pockmarked by bullets fired by ex-Special Forces turned artist and reportage photographer, Bran Symondson, using the same gun as in each portrait. Guns and the violence they symbolize become subjects, displacing Hollywood stars and the glorified ethos they mediate as well as create.
Bran Symondson said about Terry on hearing the news, “He was a photography icon legend, so being given the chance to work with him, especially on his last exhibition, will remain my life’s biggest honour!”
He adds, "My only wish is that I could have met him sooner in life, he had so much to give".
HOFA Gallery and Symondson extend their profound condolences to Terry's family and close associates. They are deeply proud to have had the privilege of working with Terry on his last exhibition. As many who have worked with him will attest, he had a kind, warm and endearing personality which carried over in his work and relationships with the celebrities he photographed.