VISIONARY

On display through June 6, 2026

About the EXHIBITION:

For much of his career, Robert Maxwell has used figurative studies and portraiture to convey his unique vision. Presenting over a hundred images, Visionary encompasses a full range of the artist’s practice, including early works exploring his surroundings and family life —produced while living in Paris - to the refined fashion, beauty and celebrity portraiture which has become his signature. 

The Early Years - Still Life

Maxwell’s work vacillates between a classic and contemporary aesthetic; Visionary presents a selection of still life imagery Maxwell created in his studio, highlighting his tendency to isolate elements from nature. It also shows his ability to harness light, utilize texture and emphasize shape and form.

The first, aptly titled Forêt de Champignons, or Mushroom Forest, depicts a stalk of enoki mushrooms in a tightly packed bouqet. Their gently entwined, smooth white stipes and domed caps cascade downward, forming a dense canopy. Placed against a dark backdrop, its sculptural form and luminous quality gives the viewer the impression these tender stalks were carved from alabaster.  Mushrooms are often the source of folkloric traditions and have been associated with alchemy and transformation. Maxwell subtly leans into this sense of enchantment, as his ‘mushroom forest’ briefly transports the viewer to another realm.

His arrangement of blocks, flowers, spoons, foraged or organic matter represent a reordering of temporal and spacial objects. Visually rich, his imagery is a comparison of simple and complex forms.

Portaiture

 His earliest works serve as a prologue to his storied career; He comes full circle with the inclusion of his newest imagery––featuring Japanese women in traditional kimonos––which directly translated means “thing to wear.” Kitsuke––the art and technique of dressing in a kimono layer by layer––emphasizes precision, patience and mindfulness. Not simply documenting the process, Maxwell’s lens seeks out poignant moments that allow each woman’s unique identity to shine through. These women become living embodiments of Japanese artistry, discipline and heritage. Their beauty is enhanced by their powerful presence, which can be felt through their direct gaze.

 This exhibition also showcases a large body of work gleaned from Maxwell’s diverse assignments for publications such as W, Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, and T: The New York Times Style Magazine. His is known for creating distinctive portraits of architects, fashion designers, artists, athletes, film personalities, entertainers and musicians.

Maxwell’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Camerawork in Berlin and Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles. Arena Editions published his first monograph Robert Maxwell: Photographs in 2000. Visionary is his largest exhibition to date, and will remain on display through June 6, 2026.