An ambitious London exhibition, entitled “Michael Jackson: On the Wall,” is running through October 21st, 2018, at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in the UK, to highlight the enormous influence of the “King of Pop” on popular culture.
“Michael Jackson: On the Wall” show, curated by the Director of the National Portrait Gallery Dr. Nicholas Cullinan and produced with the co-operation of the Michael Jackson Estate, occupies 14 rooms, showcasing a great number of visually striking pieces from both private and public collections around the world. The artworks, which are created by 48 leading names across numerous media, such as David LaChapelle, Candice Breitz, Catherine Opie, Andy Warhol, Paul McCarthy, Mark Ryden, Kehinde Wiley, KAWS, and Jackson’s former staff photographer Todd Gray, explore both the American artist’s enduring influence, as well as his outlandish legacy.
“Such an extraordinary array of artists has been drawn to Michael Jackson as a subject,” shared Nicholas Cullinan with the media. “This exhibition is not about his biography or memorabilia. It’s about looking at him through the prism of contemporary art.”
“All of the artists included in the exhibition, despite coming from different generations, perspectives, and parts of the world, and employing a range of media, are fascinated by what Jackson represented and what he invented.”
NPG’s visitors will have the opportunity to observe how powerful Michael Jackson is, even 9 years after his lethal overdose in 2009, as well as the different ways contemporary artists have immortalized him over the course of his lifetime.
Info
“Michael Jackson: On the Wall”
Until October 21, 2018
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE, UK
Wolfson and Lerner Galleries
Telephone: 020 7306 0055
Open daily 10 am – 6 pm, Friday until 9 pm
Tickets with donation from £17.50 – £22
Tickets without donation from £15.50 – £20