The legendary photographer Richard Avedon captured the zeitgeist of modern America

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter’s summer exhibition is dedicated to the works of Richard Avedon (1923–2004). Avedon is one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, and his fashion photography and portraits have been fundamental in defining our conception of American style, culture and beauty. This exhibition, consisting of 54 works, will be the first comprehensive presentation of this photographer in Norway.

- It has been a long-standing wish of ours to present an exhibition of the works of Richard Avedon. He is a legend in the world of art photography and is well suited to our commitment to photography. It is therefore with great pleasure that we present the first major exhibition of his images in Norway, said Tone Hansen, Director of Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

The exhibition Avedon’s America spans over the course of roughly sixty years of his career. The selected portraits encompass a broad spectrum of personalities that have shaped American society over the last half of the 20th century. These images include politicians, activists and artists such as Malcolm X, Hillary Clinton, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Marilyn Monroe and Donald Trump. In addition to these portraits, Avedon also depicted American people on the fringes of society and survivors of the cruelty of war.

- Through Avedon’s lens the audience is invited to see the diversity in faces, ideas and societal conditions that have contributed the cultural discourse of the 20th century in America, said Susanne Østby Sæther, curator of photography and new media at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

Seen in conjunction with the global and political landscape of today, Avedon’s America is a highly relevant exhibition that gives insight into American contemporary culture and society.

The exhibition is created and curated in collaboration with The Avedon Foundation in New York.

We welcome you to a viewing for the press at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Wednesday June 12, 10am. To participate, please e-mail: mhj@hok.no

Brief summary:

• The exhibition will be on display at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter: June, 14 – September, 8 2019
• Curators: Laura Avedon, The Richard Avedon Foundation in collaboration with Susanne Østby Sæther, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter
• The exhibition Avedon’s America was first shown in 2017 at Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton, New York, and will now be on display at Høvikodden in a new, updated version, curated in collaboration with The Avedon Foundation. This summer’s presentation is adapted to Henie Onstad’s history and is part of Henie Onstad’s commitment to photography.