Hilton | Asmus Contemporary (716 N. Wells Street) today announced a solo exhibition of limited edition signed photographic prints by world-renowned British fine art photographer David Yarrow, beginning Nov. 18 with a series of lectures, book signings and artist appearances throughout the week of November 18-22. The exhibit will feature 4 photographs taken of animals in iconic Chicago locations supplemented by photographs taken throughout Yarrow’s career.
An opening reception with the artist will be held on Nov 22 from 5:00 – 8 p.m. Sotheby’s Magazine recently wrote that Yarrow’s wildlife photography gives the viewer a “sense of closeness” with his animal subjects which “comes in part from the subjects’ eyes – Yarrow continuously focuses on them.” The exhibition follows Hilton | Asmus Contemporary’s lauded 2017 exhibition of Yarrow’s works, which served as an entry point for the Chicago audience.
During a recent visit to Chicago, Yarrow photographed the iconic LaSalle Street view looking towards the Chicago Board of Trade. The photograph entitled “Chicago (Board of Trade)” was taken in the middle of the night with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department. A fan of Chicago architecture, Yarrow chose to photograph LaSalle Street because of its cinematic feel, having been used as a location in such films as “The Road to Perdition” and the Batman film “The Dark Knight.” “Chicago is urban beauty at its best and the presence of such a big building at the end of a street offers opportunities that Manhattan simply does not give,” said Yarrow. “The eye is grabbed and then led deep into the vortex.”
Chicago (Board of Trade) by David Yarrow. Image courtesy of Hilton | Asmus Contemporary.jpeg
Alongside Yarrow’s four Chicago images, the exhibition will feature “RAJASTHAN”, a 2019 photograph taken at the Ranthambore National Park in India. On the process of photographing the wild tiger, Yarrow said, “There, at the front of the cave, but out of the heat, sat the tiger in the best lit spot I can ever remember with any animal.”
Rajasthan by David Yarrow. Image courtesy of Hilton | Asmus Contemporary
Also included in the show are works with animals alongside some of the most noted models in the world, including Cindy Crawford, in a portrait alongside wolf in a convertible in a piece called “Cindy’s Gunshot Wedding,” proceeds of which will benefit the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and Cara Delevingne, a two-time winner of the Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, photographed with a lion.
Traveling extensively across seven continents, Yarrow, regarded as one of the most accomplished nature photographers working today, has spent much of the past three decades in remote locales capturing grippingly intimate portraits of vulnerable and endangered wildlife. A passionate conservationist, Yarrow supports a variety of charitable foundations such as Tusk Trust, Wildark, and the Kevin Richardson Foundation.
On a recent visit to South Africa, Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle gifted Yarrow’s photograph “Mankind” to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Dr. Motsepe. The photograph depicts a large herd of ankole cattle, an animal the South African president is known for breeding. Yarrow is the official brand ambassador for Land Rover, Nikon and Tag Heuer.
In addition to wildlife photography, David Yarrow has documented far-flung cultures and indigenous communities around the globe. Alaskan hunters, the Himba of Namibia and the Dinka of South Sudan have all been captured in his photographs. In 2017, Yarrow travelled to North Korea at the invitation of the government. Over the course of an eight-day visit, he was able to venture into the countryside and access rare glimpses of everyday life.
“I was overwhelmed by the emotive quality of David’s photographs from the first moment I saw them,” said gallery Founder & Curator Arica Hilton. “Once you learn about David’s methods and the care with which he approaches his subject matter, you cannot help but become entranced. Wild animals have seldom been captured from such a close vantage point.”
About Hilton | Asmus Contemporary
Hilton | Asmus Contemporary is owned and run by multi-media artist, poet and writer Arica Hilton. With more than 30 years of experience in representing artists around the world, Hilton founded Hilton | Asmus 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 Chicago.
Located in Chicago's River North Art District, the gallery specializes in modern and contemporary paintings, works on paper, sculpture and photography featuring Chicago-based emerging and established artists, with a focus on internationally known artists from the Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Region such as France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East.
Hilton | Asmus Contemporary has received acclaim for exhibitions of the photographers Julian Wasser, David Yarrow, Peter Sorel, Terry O’Neill, Douglas Kirkland and Hugh Arnold.