An exhibition featuring excerpts from a collection of over 1,000 celebrity snapshots by Australian photographer Richard Simpkin is going on display at Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery.

 

Simpkin began getting his picture taken with stars aged 15 and his childhood obsession with famous people sparked a photography project that has spanned 23 years.

 

His images of celebrities straddle the worlds of music, film, sports and politics, from Michael Jackson to Audrey Hepburn to Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela.

 

After leaving school at 16, Richard Simpkin became a photographer for Australian rock star Michael Hutchence. The exhibition includes some photographs and a video interview he made with the late INXS singer.

 

Simpkin’s work will be displayed alongside that of LA-based photographer Simone Lueck whose images feature older women posing as their favourite film star. The Richard and Famous exhibition, which opens on 13 January, is curated by Magnum photographer Martin Parr, who will also be showing his own photographs at the gallery.

 

Parr said of Simpkin’s work: "Obsessively having his photo taken with the celebrities of the world, [Simpkin] shows them almost to be puppets in his own game of charades. Knowing how difficult it is to get access to celebrities in this day and age, it is an awesome achievement, and turns his whole game into a compelling piece of art."

 

Creating great portraits takes skill. If taking portraits is of interest to you, then Mike Browne can help you to get started with Portrait Photography Tips in the tips and techniques section of Photography Videos.

 

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