Photographer Terry Richardson may be best known for his gritty shoots with tabloid favorites Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, and Paris Hilton (not to mention his editorial work for such publications as V, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar). But a buzzy new L.A. gallery has put the bespectacled shutterbug’s more artistic pursuits front and center. TERRYWOOD, on view at West Hollywood’s OHWOW through March 31, includes 25 recent photographic musings on life in Tinseltown. The gallery was founded in Miami but relocated to the West Coast just last year.
Many of the images included in TERRYWOOD focus less on L.A.’s glitz and glam and more on its genetic make-up — the signage, buildings, and purple-haired punks that make the city far more unique than it is typically given credit for. Other works get cheeky with several Hollywood pitfalls and clichés as well: in Richardson’s shot of the iconic “Hollywood” sign, most of the letters in the blocky white sign have been cropped out so all that’s left is “Ho”; a close-up of a blonde’s parted hair reveals her dark brown roots; and a pair of plump and lacquered Rocky Horror Picture Show-esque red lips could belong to any number of wannabe, emerging, or established ingénues.
Also worth a gander: Richardson’s blog, Terry’s Diary, a frequently updated consortium of photographs and videos documenting Richardson’s work, life, and frequent A-list encounters.
TERRYWOOD at OHWOW through March 31; 931 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles; 310-652-1711; oh-wow.com.
Click ‘VIEW IMAGES’ at right to see full descriptions of selected art.
