Opening of major exhibition from legendary American photographer Ryan McGinley at Shepparton Art Museum to be celebrated on 9 March.

In partnership with PHOTO Australia, Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to present YEARBOOK – a major exhibition from American photographer Ryan McGinley. From 1 March to 14 July 2024, YEARBOOK will be on display at SAM in an Australian exclusive. This presentation of YEARBOOK marks McGinley’s first solo exhibition in Australia, with an opening celebration featuring an exclusive talk from the artist to take place on Saturday 9 March.

Consisting of a single artwork featuring over seven hundred vinyl-printed studio portraits of creatives living and working in New York City and adhered to every available inch of wall in the gallery, YEARBOOK envelops the entire space with bold colour and form. Despite the distinct individuality of each subject, the posters are unified by McGinley’s exceptional skill in capturing a fleeting moment. First presented in New York City in 2009, McGinley has shown this ever-evolving work at major public institutions in Tokyo, Denmark, Korea, and Spain. The wallpaper-style presentation of the work adapts to each gallery space it features in, making every new presentation unique and site-specific.

Internationally renowned for his snapshot-casual style of photography, McGinley’s work draws influence from his personal experiences and American street culture from his youth to present day, with a strong focus on queer identities. Described by GQ Magazine in 2014 as “the most important photographer in America”, his artistic style has evolved from the documentary-photography style that first led to his public discovery, to a more orchestrated creative vision. Commencing the project in 2008, the early photos within YEARBOOK represent McGinley’s first forays into colour studio photography, later signaling his shift into an increasingly studio-based practice.

Artist Ryan McGinley says of the exhibition:

“There’s a synergy between all the images that make up YEARBOOK; the constellation of hundreds of fleeting moments captured on camera share a timeless quality that is at the same time highly contemporary.

The physical display of the work itself is inspired by the wheat-paste street posters of New York; in this, though, the techniques of image mass-production are used to create something incredibly personal.”

McGinley will join SAM on 9 March for the official exhibition opening event, where he will present an exclusive, free artist talk reflecting on his now decades-long career, providing rich insights into the evolution of YEARBOOK and his photographic practice. The event will also feature opening remarks from Justine Dalla Riva, CEO of Victorian Pride Centre, and is a feature event of PHOTO 2024’s regional weekend.

Melinda Martin, SAM CEO, says of the exhibition:

“We’re thrilled to present such a major part of the PHOTO 2024 program in Shepparton, and to be premiering Ryan McGinley’s work to an Australian audience. Ryan has worked prolifically throughout his career, producing exhibitions and photographs that capture both a raw humanness and a timeless euphoria. We’re honored to have him join us to celebrate this presentation of YEARBOOK in March during his brief visit to Australia. The mark Ryan has made on visual culture since the beginning of his career is immense, with both his commercial and studio work present in every major fashion and arts publication of the past 20 years. Having him share his insights into his practice at the opening and the conversations that will flow out of it will surely be fascinating, revealing, and inspiring.”

YEARBOOK will be showing at SAM from 1 March until 14 July 2024 with free entry. To register your attendance at the exhibition opening event on 9 March, visit the SAM website: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/event/exhibition-opening-celebration-ryan-mcginley-yearbook-photo-2024/

About Ryan McGinley:

Ryan McGinley is a New York–based photographer. His early photos displayed the unseen intersection of skateboard and graffiti culture, with a strong queer focus. At age twenty-five, he became the youngest artist to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City (NYC). For over a decade, McGinley has road-tripped continuously throughout the United States to create work that incorporates the human body within the American landscape. Dubbed by GQ as “the most important photographer in America”, McGinley can often be found on the streets of NYC participating in queer activism, fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights. McGinley frequently presents international solo gallery and museum exhibitions and has an ongoing studio practice photographing members of NYC’s creative community. 

About PHOTO Australia:

PHOTO Australia was founded in 2018 to launch a major new photography biennale in Melbourne and sites across Regional Victoria. Taking place every two years, the festival addresses the major issues of our time in a program of free exhibitions, outdoor displays and artist commissions across the city, as well as awards, talks, workshops, tours and experiences. Presenting ideas critical to contemporary photographic discourse, PHOTO encourages the public to engage with and think about photography and visual culture in new and inspiring ways.

The inaugural festival PHOTO 2021 ‘The Truth’ presented 105 exhibitions by 160 artists. PHOTO 2022 ‘Being Human’ saw presentations of 130 artists across Melbourne including icons Cindy Sherman and Helmut Newton, with British Journal of Photography claiming the biennale is “Australia’s most prestigious photography festival.” Both festivals have attracted a total of more than 250,000 participants. PHOTO 2024 01–24 March ‘The Future Is Shaped by Those Who Can See It’ will be the third edition.

About SAM:

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is located on Yorta Yorta Country, Shepparton, Victoria.

As a leading Australian regional art museum, SAM showcases its exhibitions and collections in new and exciting ways, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging space for all visitors.

Recognised for its significant Australian ceramics collection and nationally significant collection of Indigenous art, SAM’s programming is designed to be locally relevant and engages with global contemporary ideas. Through its exhibitions, collection, programs and events, SAM creates a place where art helps us to better understand the ancient cultures of this country and contemporary multicultural Australia.

Featured image: Ryan McGinley, YEARBOOK, installation view Pretty Free at Marlborough Gallery, London, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist. © the artist.