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Photographer John Stoddart showcases famous portraits at L’Escargot
By Tempus | 22 September 2017 | Culture
London’s L’Escargot restaurant hosts the renowned celebrity photographer newest exhibition
* One of photographer John Stoddard’s most iconic images of actor Daniel Craig, prior to his casting as James Bond
Renowned photographer John Stoddart will display his most important portraits in a provocative two-part exhibition at London's French restaurant L’Escargot. Black and white images of the likes of Daniel Craig, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hugh Grant will be displayed beside a series of 22 photographs exploring life’s journey.
Stoddart began his career in 1980s Liverpool, shooting the likes of Frankie Goes to Hollywood. He quickly cemented the style that set him apart from his peers, and his new exhibition, open from 26 September, features images taken directly from a negative with no digital editing.
Stoddart said: “I’m thrilled to display a diverse body of my work for the first time at L’Escargot. It’s a London dining institution with its own incredible history of influential characters that have taken a seat for dinner. It made perfect sense to display a collection of my most provocative and iconic work here.”
* John Stoddard’s portraits of Hollywood action-man Arnold Schwarzenegger and British star Hugh Grant
From Beverly Hills to Soho features images of the world’s biggest screen artists, many of whom Stoddard photographed before they became well known. The second part of the exhibition, titled Memento Mori, is a 22-image retrospective from shoots throughout his career, including some adult in nature or exploring themes of desire, fears, birth and death.
Hosting the twin exhibitions until 6 October, L’Escargot is inviting the public to attend with or without dining reservations. The restaurant, a favourite spot for London’s celebrity and high society patrons – including Diana, Princess of Wales, and Elton John – during the 1980s and 1990s, and counts itself among the most well known Soho restaurants since it was established almost a century ago.
* John Stoddard’s portraits of actors Mel Gibson and Liam Neeson