This exhibition of photography presents the work of Ron Galella, who brought the work of paparazzi, the stepchild of photojournalism, into the public eye and with it the celebrity culture we live with today. Galella's art for us is showing the famous as they are without lighting, in their own clothes, often disheveled, and not too happy to be photographed. In the world of publicists and packaging, this reality check is refreshing.
Ron Galella has always had a deep love and appreciation for music, musicians, and dancers. Candid photographs: from Nashville, to rappers, Broadway stars, Balanchine and his dancers to Studio 54, rock stars and everything in between have been caught in his camera. Accepting awards or running away, the world of music and dance are his subjects.
Ron Galella, a native New Yorker, served as a United States Air Force photographer during the Korean conflict, after which he attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, graduating with a degree in photojournalism. His books include Ron Galella Exclusive Diary, The Photographs of Ron Galella 1965-1989, Offguard: A Paparazzi Look at the Beautiful People,That's Great! and Jackie: My Obsession. In 2009, the critically acclaimed documentary Smash His Camera, about Galella's remarkable career, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it earned a Best Directing Award by Academy Award winning Leon Gast.