WESTWOOD GALLERY NYC is pleased to present the premiere New York exhibition for acclaimed photographer, Roy Schatt (
1909-2002). In keeping with the gallery program of rediscovering forgotten artists and photographers, Curator James Cavello reviewed the archive of Schatt and organized an exhibition of over 50 vintage and modern prints, some never before seen, others exhibited in the 1950’s.
The exhibition includes rare photographs of actors, writers, directors and playwrights associated with The Actors Studio where Roy Schatt was the official photographer. In addition, many other images of personalities active in the New York theatrical community from the 1950’s and 60’s are on exhibit. The vintage photos include Marilyn Monroe, Elia Kazan, Lee Strasberg, Geraldine Page, Tennessee Williams, Steve McQueen, Rod Steiger, Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Vincent Price, John Cassavetes, Martin Landau, Arthur Miller, Marlene Dietrich, Lorne Greene, Andy Griffith, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Bud Schulberg, Ben Gazzara, Dorothy Parker, Maureen Stapleton, William Saroyan, Brendan Behan, Lillian Hellman and many other creative individuals.
Also on view are Schatt’s legendary photos of James Dean, who was a friend of Schatt, as well as his photography student. The images encompass the iconic Torn Sweater series, as well as Dean in personal moments playing the bongos and pretending to steal candy from a newsstand. The exhibition also includes photos by James Dean as he practiced the art of photography using Schatt as his subject.
Roy Schatt stated: “I knew James Dean from February 1954 until he died in September 1955. I knew him as a friend and as a student. He was a disrupter of norms, a bender of rules, a disquieter of calm. Through the following pictures and vignettes, I hope to transmit a glimpse of his most insistent, and perhaps eternal, presence”.
Roy Schatt was born in New York City in 1909 and pursued a lifelong passion and career in the arts. He studied under N.C. Wyeth, painted murals during the WPA and used his artistic skills in the Army while stationed in India. Post-war he returned to New York City where he worked in advertising, acting, illustration and photography and landed in the circle of many creative personalities. He was influenced by renowned photographers Erich Salomon, Edward Weston, Cartier-Bresson and Ansel Adams. Roy Schatt’s photographs have been exhibited at International Center of Photography, NY, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC, Art Institute of Chicago, as well as in the collection of Smithsonian and included in Edward Steichen’s 1955 exhibition, The Family of Man at MOMA.
WESTWOOD GALLERY NYC is the exclusive representative for The Estate of Roy Schatt in collaboration with Ron Cayen, Inc.
OPENING RECEPTION:
April 23, 2015, 6 to 8 pm
RSVP
