Gagosian will showcase Avedon & Me, curated by contemporary photographer Tyler Mitchell, at the Grand Palais during Paris Photo 2024. This marks Mitchell’s curatorial debut, bringing a fresh dialogue between his work and Richard Avedon’s iconic photography, particularly focusing on Avedon’s influential 1960s pieces alongside several of Mitchell’s recent works, many of which will be exhibited for the first time.
Avedon’s 1960s body of work reflects a period of significant social engagement, particularly in his collaboration with James Baldwin on the seminal book Nothing Personal, which intertwines Baldwin’s poignant prose with Avedon’s compelling imagery to explore race and identity.
Mitchell’s photographs complement this exploration by capturing the contemporary cultural landscape, highlighting intimate moments that celebrate Black life and community. One standout piece, A Glorious Wedding and Blessings to Come (2021), portrays a couple in a serene setting, honoring love and family traditions.
The exhibition will also feature Avedon’s Debutante Cotillion series, showcasing the elegance and pageantry of Black cotillions in Louisiana, emphasizing the importance of community and tradition. Both artists use portraiture to examine identity and belonging, illustrating how attire and ceremony express pride across generations.
This collaboration was sparked by Mitchell’s inclusion of Avedon’s 1946 mirror self-portrait with Baldwin in the Avedon 100 centennial exhibition at Gagosian New York in 2023, highlighting photography’s power to tell the stories of those who shape our world.
For an insight into Tyler’s creative universe, read our conversation with him for the SS24 issue. Order your copy here.
The Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Convention, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C., October 15, 1963
Courtesy of THE RICHARD AVEDON FOUNDATION
