Rankin

RANKIN
Eye Candy

September 6 through October 20, 2007
Opening Reception, Thursday, September 6, 7 - 9 p.m.

Iconic photographer, publisher and film director Rankin, will unveil “Eye Candy” on Thursday, September 6th, featuring some of his favorite female nude images shot throughout his career. The exhibition, which marks the artist’s one-man show in the U.S., will run through October 20th at the Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles.

“There’s no point in dressing it up, I love women and I love taking photos. It’s more like a fantastic hobby than a job,” says Rankin.

Considered a “ubiquitous British creative genius,” Rankin is one of the most sought after commercial photographers working today. Shooting for clients including Dove, Dom Perignon, Special Olympics, H. Stern and British Airways, his talent has provided him with opportunities to cultivate unique relationships with his subjects. Rankin has unparalleled access to some of the world’s most prominent personalities, models and celebrities. His relaxed, somewhat whimsical approach coupled with an edgy fashion sense make his images a powerful and visceral display of femininity. This exhibition features both works that are beautiful and erotic demonstrating Rankin’s eye for catching life’s most intimate moments.

Rankin has gained international recognition as a photographer, publisher and most recently filmmaker. An impressive list of clients continues to engage his mischievous style and witty eye for their fashion and culture campaigns. Rankin’s revolutionary Dove campaign using real women instead of stick thin models was an historic vehicle of change in the advertising industry, prompting imitation. Over the past few years, highly successful exhibitions, groundbreaking magazines and photography books that feature his work have further cemented his reputation culturally as a trend and opinion leader.

In 1991, he co-founded Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in London. The Dazed group now comprises Dazed & Confused magazine, Another Magazine, Dazed Books, Rankin Photography and most recently Dazed Film & TV, an independent film and television production company. Producing cross-platform, multi-genre projects, Dazed Film & TV continues to develop unique documentaries, dramas, shorts and commercials. Rankin enjoys directing and following work on his short film “Perfect,” he was encouraged to seek out new long form projects. He recently completed a feature film, with co-director Chris Cottam, entitled “The Lives of the Saints,” a darkly comic morality tale written by Tony Grisoni.

David Fahey said, “Rankin has been redefining the parameters of photography in Great Britain for the past 15 years. His gritty, wicked, and unconventional photographs reflect the sensibilities of his Dazed & Confused generation.” The Fahey/Klein Gallery is devoted to the enhancement of the public’s appreciation of the medium of photography. Through the exhibition and sale of rare, vintage 19th and 20th century and contemporary 21st century fine art, the gallery showcases some of the most notable figures in the history of photography. Fahey/Klein is a leader in the field and enjoys an unparalleled position of respect among its clientele.

Rankin is thrilled to come to Los Angeles with this exhibition. He loves to take pictures and says that he “gets jittery after just a couple of days without a camera.” “Everyone who knows me says I’m happiest when I’m shooting” he says.