Enter Gallery announces a captivating celebration of the legendary photographer Slim Aarons. The exhibition, titled “Welcome to the World of Slim Aarons”, is on display through the month of August, culminating in a summer soiree on Thursday, 29th August, from 6-8 pm at Enter Gallery, Brighton.
This summer installation showcases a sublime collection of Aarons’ most iconic images, capturing the lives of the rich and famous over the course of a career lasting half a century. Aarons’ unique ability to blend fine art with documentary-style photography offers viewers an intimate glimpse into the luxurious lifestyles of his subjects.
Slim Aarons is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and the elite. Over six decades, he photographed the world’s most beautiful people in the most desirable destinations, from Beverly Hills to Capri to the French Riviera. His subjects included the Kennedy family, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly.
Aarons, a master of composition with a meticulous eye for detail, captured a golden age of wealth and privilege through intimate portraits and sun-drenched landscapes, contrasting with the cultural and political backdrop of the time. He took over 750,000 photographs, with only 5,000 digitised. Although Aarons died in 2006, his legacy continues to inspire film and high fashion, influencing designers like Paul Smith, Tom Ford, and Michael Kors.
The show features a selection of Aarons’ most celebrated works, including:
- Eden Roc is a striking image capturing the essence of relaxation and luxury at the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera, 1976.
- Dining Al Fresco On Capri captures Italian artist and actress Domiziana Giordano, Italian author Francesca Sanvitale, Dino Trappetti and Umberto Terrelli dining al fresco on a terrace overlooking the waters off the coast of the island of Capri, Italy, in August 1980.
- Speedboat Landing showcases a Magnum motorboat belonging to Count Filippo Theodoli arriving at the private jetty of the Il Pellicano Hotel in Porto Ercole, Italy, 1973.
- El Venero depicts the Moorish villa of Spanish Ambassador Hector de Ayala and his wife Chico in Marbella, Spain, 1971. Aarons captures the haze of summer, mountains rising in the background, and beautiful people lounging with cocktails in front of the pristine villa.
- Palm Springs Party: A poolside party at a desert house, designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann, in Palm Springs, January 1970. Featured in the group are: industrial designer Raymond Loewy, Nelda Linsk, wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk, and Helen Dzo Dzo.
Shawn Waldron, manager of the Slim Aarons Archive and author of Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection, says, “Summer and Slim Aarons go hand in hand, so we are thrilled to be working with Enter Gallery to present a selection of the photographer’s legendary works throughout August. Slim emerged from his harrowing experiences as a WWII combat journalist determined to document the sunnier side of life. He spent the next forty years building the ultimate visual archive of luxury and privilege that continues to fascinate and inspire contemporary collectors.”
Slim Aarons is celebrated for his evocative and timeless images that chronicle the world of the wealthy elite from the 1950s to the 1980s. His career spanned over six decades, during which he captured the essence of high society with unparalleled elegance and sophistication. Aarons’ work is not just a visual feast but also a historical archive of an era defined by luxury and opulence.
Each photograph tells a story of a time when elegance and sophistication were paramount, and Aarons’ work continues to resonate with audiences today.
Helen Hiett, Enter Gallery’s Head of Buying comments: “We are delighted to bring Slim Aarons’ world to Brighton, it’s such a pleasure to bring a little of Slim Aarons sun-soaked golden era to our collectors. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences with its timeless beauty.”
The exhibition will be celebrated with a Summer Soiree event at Enter Gallery on Thursday 29th August.
Date: Thursday 29th August
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Enter Gallery, 13 Bond Street, Brighton, BN1 1RD
More about Enter Gallery
Enter Gallery has been a leading independently owned contemporary art gallery for over 30 years. The gallery curates a diverse range of contemporary art, fostering a community of art enthusiasts, rebels, and tastemakers. From supporting emerging talents to showcasing established artists who share a love for counterculture, Enter Gallery is a dynamic hub where tradition meets artistic rebellion. The gallery has been instrumental in promoting the careers of renowned international artists including Banksy, Charlotte Rose, Mark Vessey and Richard Berner.
