An Anthology of Rankin Portraiture Opens at Annroy Gallery
LONDON.- From politicians to actors, monarchs to musicians, Rankin’s latest book and exhibition brings together some of the most famous faces of the last 20 years. Portraits unites some of Rankin’s most recognisable portraiture with a collection of previously unseen works. This coffee-table book and accompanying exhibition at Annroy Gallery will fascinate anyone with an interest in celebrity and pop culture.
Rankin’s photo album of our generation, Portraits features people as diverse as the Queen, supermodels Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford, music legends Madonna, Kylie and U2, comic genius Ricky Gervais, Hollywood royalty Kate Winslet, and Helen Mirren, political heavyweights Gorbachev, Blair and Brown and young guns Emma Watson and Carey Mulligan — all captured in Rankin’s dynamic and intimate style.
Portraits will run from 18th June — 18th July at Annroy Gallery, Rankin’s own Kentish Town gallery space. The book is available from all good book stores and via www.turnaround-uk.com, priced £40.00.
‘‘Any time Rankin takes a picture he knows what he wants, and there is really no chance of being anyone but who you are, even if you try. You can trust him. I trust him.’’ said Kate Moss.
Beth Ditto © Rankin
‘‘Portraiture has always been a central aspect of my work. I love connecting with people, working with them to get not only a great photograph, but one that captures a little bit of who they are.’’ said Rankin.
Synonymous with dynamic and intimate portraiture, the photographer Rankin has shot everyone from royalty to refugees. His powerful images are part of contemporary iconography, and mix a cross section of his own personal interests with commercial campaigns, from Nike to Women’s Aid. His work is regularly exhibited in galleries around the world from Sao Paolo to Moscow, London to LA.
Rankin first came to prominence when he co-founded style bible Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack. One of the most important magazines of the 90’s, it established its stylists in the fashion elite, broke some of today’s top designers and nurtured the budding careers of a generation of creative photographers.
Earning a reputation for creative portraiture and a talent for capturing the character and spirit of his subjects, Rankin quickly became a formidable force in photography, shooting Brit-pop bands including Pulp and Blur and darlings of pop such as Kylie and Madonna. Rankin’s career continued to blossom and covers for German Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Arena and GQ quickly followed.
His body of work includes some of the most influential politicians, popular musicians, revered artists and celebrated models since the early 90’s. However, Rankin also continues to take on projects that feature ordinary people, often questioning established notions of beauty, causing controversy and igniting debates along the way. Most recently he travelled to Johannesburg with the BBC to film South Africa in Pictures, a documentary in which he traced the country’s photographic history.
Rankin is affiliated with a number of charities and has created hardhitting campaigns for Women’s Aid and Oxfam to name but a few.
A number of books of Rankin’s work have been published, including a retrospective of his work Visually Hungry, a collection of his most recognisable portraits Celebritation, a book of Rankin’s images of his model wife Tuuli Tuulitastic, Alex Box, a collaboration with the avant-garde make-up artist and a book to accompany the BBC documentary, RANKINJOZI.
Between 2004 and April 2010, Rankin has co-directed music videos, commercials and feature films with Chris Cottam. This included their debut film The Lives of Saints, penned by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas writer Tony Grisoni, which enjoyed success on the festival circuit and won the grand jury prize at the Salento International Film Festival. Rankin now continues to film commercial and personal projects independently.
Rankin lives in London with his wife Tuuli and his son Lyle.
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