A retrospective of the work of acclaimed photographer-director David LaChapelle is coming to Orlando Museum of Art in the new year. And it will include a world-premiere creation the museum describes as “monumental.”
Titled “David LaChapelle: As the World Turns,” the exhibition will open Jan. 31 and contain pieces of art “from early religious figurative works, fashion editorials and celebrity portraiture to allegorical compositions exploring spirituality, environmental fragility and transcendence,” according to the museum’s announcement.
It will be the largest U.S. museum exhibition of LaChapelle’s work, according to the artist’s representatives, with 111 individually framed works and an additional 56 printed poster images.
Beyond the size, presenting the exhibition at all is a significant achievement for the museum, as LaChapelle has been a major influence on contemporary art with his surreal and whimsical works. He has also made a name for himself as a director of music videos for artists such as Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Elton John and others.
In 2023, LaChapelle was honored with the Lorenzo il Magnifico Lifetime Achievement Award at the XIV Florence Biennale. His work has been exhibited in London’s National Portrait Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., the Palazzo Reale in Milan and Fotografiska in New York City.
Orlando Museum of Art will complement its exhibition with a high-fashion opening reception and a series of community events, including an appearance by LaChapelle himself.
“OMA’s mission has always been to present diverse and world-class programming, and this exhibition is a perfect example of our commitment to bringing groundbreaking cultural experiences to Central Florida,” museum CEO Cathryn Mattson said in the announcement. “We hope this exhibition sparks conversation and inspiration across our community.”
LaChapelle’s career began in New York City in the 1980s. After Andy Warhol hired him to shoot photos for Interview magazine, LaChapelle crossed over into the pop-culture mainstream and subsequently became one of the most published photographers in the world.
His anthologies include “LaChapelle Land” (1996), “Hotel LaChapelle” (1999), “Heaven to Hell” (2006), “Lost & Found” (2017) and “Good News” (2024).
Among the many celebrities David LaChapelle has photographed is Tupac Shakur, on view here in LaChapelle’s 1996 work “Tupac, Becoming Clean.” (Courtesy David LaChapelle via Orlando Museum of Art)
Even those who don’t know his name have probably seen his work. The recognizable figures in film, music, art, politics and sports he has photographed include: Madonna, Hillary Clinton, Cher, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus, David Beckham, Serena Williams, Lady Gaga, Tupac Shakur, Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, Dolly Parton, Eartha Kitt, Ricky Martin and Elizabeth Taylor.
In addition to LaChapelle’s photography, the OMA exhibition will include hand-painted negatives and film-based media. Viewers will be able to watch behind-the-scenes footage of the artist’s creative process.
The “monumental” new creation will “draw inspiration from classical fresco techniques and grand historical compositions,” the museum said. Made possible by Deodato Arte, an Italian pop and street art gallery, “his expansive piece channels LaChapelle’s fascination with scale, drama and the sublime, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience a creation that has never before been displayed publicly.”
Orlando Museum of Art will present “David LaChapelle: As the World Turns” in 2026. The artist, pictured, will visit Orlando during the exhibition. (Courtesy Thomas Canet via Orlando Museum of Art)
“This exhibition at OMA is very special to me because I am revealing many new pieces that required me to use all of the experiences from my life to make,” LaChapelle said in a statement. “I have felt a great freedom in my work through recent years — as I continue to play with themes of popular culture while also returning to the narratives that offer a reflection of the spiritual world and metaphysical ideas.”
The opening reception, on Jan. 30, will include a red-carpet entrance, VIP experience, music and light bites. Guests will have an exclusive advance viewing of the exhibition that night. Tickets go on sale Dec. 6.
While the exhibit is on view, Orlando Museum of Art will offer a live model drawing class, fashion photography workshops and an artist lecture and book signing with LaChapelle.
David LaChapelle photographed the British singer in 2024 for “Charli XCX: Biting The Hand.” (Courtesy David LaChapelle via Orlando Museum of Art)
Presented by Stan and Naomi Loomis, “As the World Turns” will be curated by the museum’s chief curator, Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, which LaChapelle said adds another dimension to the exhibit.
“In a way, this is like a group show because Coralie’s curation creates an experience where all of the different stages and sides of my work can be seen and felt,” he said.
The exhibition will run through May 3. For more information, go to omart.org.
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