HARRY BENSON – Person of interest
at Galerie Got Montréal
April 28 - May 28, 2017
Galerie Got Montréal presenting the first Quebec exhibition of the internationally renowned Scottish photographer Harry
Benson CBE. The “Person of interest” exhibition and sale features more than fifty of the best-known photographs of the artist whose impressive
career spans over 60 years.
Among other photographs, visitors will have an opportunity to view a selection of shots of The Beatles taken during their Paris,
Amsterdam, Copenhagen, New York City and Miami tours between 1964 and 1966.
To
highlight Benson’s first exhibition in Montréal, Galerie Got Montréal will also showcase a photograph of French President Charles de Gaulle, taken during the
memorable speech he delivered from the balcony of Montréal’s City Hall, where
he cried “Vive le Québec libre!”
Harry Benson
Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1929, Harry Benson has photographed
the best-known public personalities and biggest icons from the political,
musical and fashion worlds, always encouraging spontaneity: twelve American
presidents, from Eisenhower to Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Winston
Churchill, Mohamed Ali (Cassius Clay at the time), The Beatles, The Rolling
Stones, Andy Warhol, James Brown, Sophia Lauren, Dolly Parton, Kate Moss, Jack
Nicholson, Amy Winehouse, to name a few. He covered race riots in the United
States in the 60s, Vietnam War protests, as well as the assassinations of
Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King and John Lennon. He infiltrated the ranks of
the KKK in South Carolina, socialized with the IRA, etc.
Harry Benson has spent the last five decades capturing iconic images of
world leaders, presidents, celebrities, and crucial historical moments.
As a photojournalist from London, Benson truly launched his career while
traveling on assignment with the Beatles to cover their first tour in
America. The Scottish born photographer began his career at the Hamilton
Advertiser before moving to Fleet Street where he worked for London’s Daily
Sketch and the Daily Express. Upon his arrival with the Beatles in 1964, Benson
decided to stay in America where he would go on to work for publishing greats
such as Life Magazine, People Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Architectural Digest.
Under contract with LIFE Magazine for 30 years, Harry
Benson’s photographs have been featured in leading magazines, such as Time,
Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Vogue Paris, Paris Match, Forbes, Town & Country,
Architectural Digest, People, and the London Sunday Times Magazine.
Harry Benson published sixteen books, took part in a
number of exhibitions and was presented with the most prestigious of prizes for
his work. In 2009, Benson was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British
Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for service to photography. He
received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from both St. Andrews University and
Glasgow University, Scotland, and is an Honorary Fellow of London's Royal
Photographic Society. He has twice been named NPPA Magazine Photographer of the
Year. On April 24, 2017, Benson will receive the prestigious Lifetime
Achievement Award from the International Center of Photography in New York
City.
Galerie
Got Montréal
Located
in Old Montréal and opened since February 2016, Galerie Got is a contemporary
art gallery that represents numerous internationally-renowned artists
(painters, sculptors, photographers). In May of 2016, the gallery presented the first Canadian exhibition of award-winning photographer Steve McCurry and
the first Canadian exhibition of French sculptor Quentin Garel in March
2017. The gallery is dedicated to showcasing excellence, the discovery
of emerging and well-established artists, and accessibility for all.
Galerie
Got Montréal
50 Saint-Paul Street West, Old Montréal |
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Hover your mouse over images for description and credits.
Hover your mouse over images for description and credits.
