Ralph Gibson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Gibson
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| Born | January 16, 1939 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Photography |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Jane Marcasiano |
| Awards | Guggenheim Fellowship |
Ralph Gibson (born January 16, 1939) is an American art photographer who is famous for his photo books. His pictures often show parts of a scene, creating a mysterious and dream-like feeling. He arranges his photos to tell stories in a unique and surreal way.
Contents
Early Life and Career
When he was 17, Ralph Gibson joined the United States Navy. He trained there as a photographer from 1956 to 1960. After the navy, he continued to study photography at the San Francisco Art Institute until 1962.
Gibson started his career working with famous photographers. From 1961 to 1962, he was an assistant to Dorothea Lange. Later, he worked with Robert Frank on two movies between 1967 and 1968.
A Focus on Photo Books
Gibson has always loved books. He believes the best way to show his photography is on the printed page. In 1969, he moved to New York and started his own publishing company called Lustrum Press. This allowed him to control how his photos looked in his books.
His first major book was The Somnambulist, which came out in 1970. Since then, he has published more than 40 books of his photography. His photos are displayed in over 150 museums all over the world. For almost 50 years, he has used Leica cameras to create his art.
Artistic Style and Projects
Gibson's work often has a unique look. For example, the rock band Joy Division used one of his photos, Hand Through a Doorway, on the inside cover of their 1979 album Unknown Pleasures.
He has also worked on special projects. In 2013, the fashion brand Bottega Veneta hired him to photograph an advertising campaign in Milan. In 2016, he showed a new collection of color photos called Vertical Horizon.
Personal Life
Ralph Gibson lives in New York City with his wife, fashion designer Mary Jane Marcasiano. He often travels for his work, especially to Europe and Brazil.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his long career, Gibson has received many awards for his photography. Here are some of the most important ones:
- 1973, 1975, 1986: Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts
- 1985: Guggenheim Fellowship, a major award for artists
- 1986: Named an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government
- 2002: Promoted to Commander, the highest rank of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- 2007: Lucie Award for his lifetime achievements in art photography
- 2018: Named a Knight of the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, a high honor in France
- 2023: Received the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society
Museum Collections
Gibson's photographs are part of many important art collections around the world. In New York City alone, his work is in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
His photos can also be found in museums such as:
- The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles
- The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
- The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- The Ralph Gibson Museum in Busan, South Korea
See also
In Spanish: Ralph Gibson para niños
