Summary
Rory Lewis (born 5 October 1982 in Chester, England[1]) is a British photographer known for his celebrity portrait photography.[2] Lewis's inspirations include the works of the artists Hans Holbein the younger,[3] Caravaggio, Titian and Thomas Lawrence and the German Expressionist movement of the 1920s.
Rory Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Lewis, age 32, self portrait | |
| Born | 5 October 1982 Chester, England |
| Known for | Photography |
| Awards | Winner of The Portrait of Britain 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 |
| Website | www |
Education edit
Lewis originally studied Medieval History at King's College London.[4]
Works edit
In 2012, Lewis held his first exhibition, Keeping Abreast, at the Bluecoat Gallery in Liverpool. Held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, the collection featured unseen portraits.[5]
In 2013, his portrait of actor David Warner was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery, London.[6] The portrait was Warner's first sitting since Cecil Beaton photographed him in the mid-1960s.[7]
In 2014, Lewis photographed and held his first major portrait photography exhibition. Entitled 'Northerners', the project was an entirely new collection of portraits from a cross section of northern English actors, celebrities, sports personalities, and politicians. Held in aid of UNICEF, the exhibition featured portraits of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Emma Rigby, Beth Tweddle, Craig Charles, General Sir Nick Houghton and Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson.[8]
In May 2014, Lewis photographed Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez in a campaign for Pepsi.[9]
In 2016 Lewis photographed all the remaining Victoria Cross & George Cross recipients for a new portrait project.[10]
In 2017 Lewis photographed actor Rufus Sewell in Los Angeles. The portrait was acquired by the National Portrait Gallery.[11]
Throughout 2016–17, Lewis embarked on a portrait project entitled Soldiery[12] British Army Portraits. Photographing over 278 British soldiers, and publishing a book of the collection.[13] The collection was exhibited at Armed Forces Day Liverpool 24 June[14] and then moved to The National Army Museum in London from 31 January – 12 February 2018.[15]
As part of the Soldiery project, Lewis held portrait sitting with WO2 Deborah Penny, Britain's first transgender soldier to serve in the front line.[16]
In 2018 Lewis embarked on a new project entitled Portraitist,[17] including portraits of former prime minister David Cameron.[18] The portrait sitting was featured by the Guardian Newspaper.[19]
References edit
- ^ Liverpool Echo Interview 18 July 2014 http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/photographer-rory-lewis-latest-exhibition-7449860
- ^ Liverpool Echo Newspaper Article 12 June 2012 http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-liverpool-portrait-specialist-rory-3339544
- ^ Hans Holbein the younger http://rorylewisphotography.com/holbeins-inspiration/
- ^ Biography https://www.rorylewis.studio/the-team
- ^ Liverpool Echo Interview 12 July 2012 http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-liverpool-portrait-specialist-rory-3339544
- ^ National Portrait Gallery David Warner http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw248086/David-Warner?LinkID=mp64101&role=sit&rNo=2
- ^ Photographer Rory Lewis captures Northern stars of stage, screen and football pitch for new exhibition http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/photographer-rory-lewis-captures-northern-7895590
- ^ Northerners: Rory Lewis photographs Gandalf and a General https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29657598
- ^ Rory Lewis Luis Suarez for Pepsi https://www.rorylewis.studio/blog/luis-suarez-for-pepsi/
- ^ Rory Lewis Website Victoria & George Cross http://rorylewisphotography.com/portfolio/victoria-george-cross-portraits/
- ^ "Rufus Sewell (Actor) Portrait Acquired by National Portrait Gallery London – Portrait Photographer Rory Lewis Liverpool & London & Los Angeles (CA)". Portrait Photographer Rory Lewis Liverpool & London & Los Angeles (CA). 4 December 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ Liverpool Echo Newspaper (Soldiery) British Army Portraits http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/portraits-parade-photography-exhibition-armed-12882717
- ^ Rory Lewis Book Soldiery British Army Portraits https://www.rorylewis.studio/soldiery/
- ^ 2017
- ^ Beale, Jonathan (3 February 2018). "The 'changing face' of the British Army". BBC News. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "British Army Soldier, Warrant Officer Class 2 Deborah Penny Portrait Acquired by National Portrait Gallery London – Portrait Photographer Rory Lewis Liverpool & London & Los Angeles (CA)". Portrait Photographer Rory Lewis Liverpool & London & Los Angeles (CA). 19 December 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ Portraitist Exhibition BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-45004510
- ^ RORYLEWIS (23 December 2018). "David Cameron Prime Minister Portrait Sitting". Portrait Photographer Rory Lewis Liverpool & London & Los Angeles (CA). Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ "Rory Lewis's best photograph: David Cameron looks back without regret". TheGuardian.com. 23 January 2019.
External links edit
- Rory Lewis Photographer Website
- Rory Lewis 2012 Photography Exhibition Video
- BBC News Rory Lewis Exhibition Northerners
- Rory Lewis Exhibition Portraitist