Hilton Contemporary announced a specially curated exhibition of new and archival images drawn from the works of world-renowned photographer Paul Nicklen. The exhibition, titled “Reverence,” calls on viewers to cherish our planet with the respect and sacredness it deserves. Nicklen’s close, intimate portraits of wildlife bring viewers face-to-face with pumas, wolves, whales and more, revealing their roles as integral parts of an ancient order of life 4 billion years in the making. “Reverence” will be spread across Hilton Contemporary’s two galleries in River North (716 N. Wells St.) and Bridgeport at the Morgan Arts Complex (3622 S. Morgan St.). The exhibition is free and open to the public and will be on-view through Nov. 9, 2024.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to display the works of a photographer whose devotion to and love of nature is unmatched,” said Arica Hilton, owner of Hilton Contemporary galleries. “Paul’s tireless efforts to help pass legislation to protect our oceans and the life that resides within and on our earth, is an important part of our mission to exhibit works that pulsate with vitality and leave viewers with a heightened appreciation and understanding of our natural world.”
“Snow Shadow” – Patagonia, Chile, 2024 – Photography by Paul Nicklen
Recently featured in the National Geographic series “Photographer” alongside Mittermeier, Paul Nicklen’s new works on display feature pumas that Nicklen shot in a recent trip to Patagonia, Chile, in addition to landscape photos of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil.
Raised in the remote Arctic, Nicklen developed a deep love for wildlife at a young age, nurtured by the rugged landscapes of his home on Baffin Island and the influence of his predominantly Inuit community. His childhood passion for nature led him to pursue a career as a marine biologist before transitioning to photography, eventually leading to a 20-year career at National Geographic Magazine where he documented both the beauty and the plight of our planet.
Known for enduring extreme expeditions across the world’s most isolated environments, Nicklen’s photography quickly garnered international acclaim as a voice for the voiceless and vulnerable wildlife. His evolution through the intersection of art, conservation and science spans from the shores of Antarctica to the depths of the South Pacific. Through his visceral imagery, Nicklen challenges viewers’ perceptions of nature and encourages a shared sense of kinship among all life.
Nicklen has garnered more than 30 of the highest accolades given to any photographer in his field, earning a global following of celebrities, conservationists and fans. He has published more than 20 stories for National Geographic and has been the recipient of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award and the prestigious World Press Photo award for photojournalism. In 2016, Nicklen played an instrumental role in passing a groundbreaking piece of conservation legislation that designated vast portions of the United States’ Arctic Ocean as indefinitely off limits for future oil and gas leasing.
In the foreword to Paul Nicklen’s book “Born to Ice,” actor and environmental activist, Leonardo DiCaprio wrote:
“To witness the Arctic and Antarctica through Paul Nicklen's lens is to experience hope in action. Born to Ice showcases the life's work of an artist whose love for the landscape-and each animal in it-is so palpable that emotion echoes throughout every image. As a collection, the images build in scope and power, leaving you profoundly affected and deepening your sense of commitment to protect these stunning parts of our planet.” - Leonardo DiCaprio, June 2018
Accompanying Nicklen’s work will be photographs by Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier, also an acclaimed nature photographer who has been globally recognized as one of the most influential wildlife writers and conservationists, having been named a National Geographic Woman of Impact in 2018. Mittermeier recently debuted her solo exhibition at Hilton Contemporary in July 2024 to an overwhelming reception by collectors from around the world. The exhibition, “HOPE: A PRELUDE,” is on-view at Hilton Contemporary through October 2024. Collectors will have an opportunity to meet Mittermeier during Nicklen’s opening reception and Printer’s Row LitFest
Hilton Contemporary River North is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bridgeport location is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Reverence” is free and open to the public to view. To learn more about “Reverence” or Hilton Contemporary, visit hiltoncontemporary.com.
About Hilton Contemporary
The internationally recognized gallery Hilton Contemporary is owned and run by multi-media artist, poet, gallerist, conservationist, humanitarian, author and global advocate Arica Hilton. With over 30 years of experience representing artists worldwide, Hilton founded Hilton Contemporary in 2012. In recent years, the gallery has flourished, seeing tremendous growth and recognition for the caliber of art exhibitions Hilton has brought to the public.
Hilton herself has had exhibitions throughout the world to bring awareness to threats that endanger the delicate balance of all living things. Water and the dangers of microplastics figure prominently in Hilton’s paintings and advocacy work. Working with artists like Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier is a logical step in her mission to use the arts as a platform to record the history of the present and explore the world in search of solutions that will ensure a healthy future for generations to come.
Located in Chicago's River North and Bridgeport Art Districts, the gallery specializes in modern and contemporary paintings, works on paper, mixed media and sculpture with a special focus on photography and most recently AI Digital works. Featuring internationally known artists from the United States, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean Region, and the Middle East.
Hilton Contemporary has received acclaim for exhibitions of David Yarrow, Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier, David Gamble, Terry O’Neill, Julian Wasser, OUCHHH, among others.