The National Portrait Gallery, London will stage Michael Jackson: On the Wall, a landmark exhibition exploring how Jackson inspired some of the leading names in contemporary art. Curated by Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, this major new exhibition spanning several generations of artists across all media opens in the summer of 2018, to coincide with Jackson’s 60th birthday (August 29, 2018).
Notably one of the most influential cultural figures to come out of the 20th century and a legacy that continues into the 21st century. The late artist is widely acknowledged when it comes to music, music videos, dance, choreography and fashion, but his impact on contemporary art is an untold story; one that has not been recognized with an international loan exhibition such as this.
With growing record sales going into the billions, almost a decade after his death, Jackson’s legacy is as strong as ever and his enormous fan base remains loyal. The multi-talented Jackson’s impact and fame show no signs of fading and the questions raised by him as a social phenomenon are still relevant.
In addition to breaking records for the most albums sold, awards won, philanthropic achievements and cultural barriers overturned, Michael Jackson has become the most depicted cultural figure in visual art by an extraordinary array of leading contemporary artists since Andy Warhol first used his image in 1982. For the first time, Michael Jackson: On the Wall will bring together the works of over 40 of these artists, drawn from public and private collections around the world, including new works made especially for the exhibition. Image credits: Main image top- Michael Jackson by Warhol
Michael Jackson: On the Wall
National Portrait Gallery, London: 28 June – 21 October 2018
