Exhibition Dates: January 6 – February 17, 2018
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 6 from 6–8 pm
Walkthrough: Saturday, January 6 at 1:30 pm
Gallery Location: 432 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Contact Info: 504.522.1999; arthurrogergallery.com
The Arthur Roger Gallery is pleased to present 21 & Under, an exhibition of work by 16-year-old photographer Brent McKeever. The exhibition will be on view at Arthur Roger Gallery, located at 432 Julia Street, from January 6 – February 17, 2018. The gallery will host an opening reception with the artist in attendance on Saturday, January 6 from 6-8 pm. In addition, the gallery will host a walkthrough with the artist on Saturday, January 6 at 1:30 pm. This exhibition is presented concurrent to the New Orleans Triennial, Prospect.4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp, through February 25.
Kiss, 2017 | Archival pigment print | 19 ¾ x 26 inches
Brent McKeever’s interest in professional photography was piqued when he attended an event hosted by friends and models, Faith and Cambrie Schroder. He observed young photographers skillfully documenting the festivities, and the genuine happiness reflected in the faces of their subjects. This inspired him to evolve beyond the “selfie” trend of his own Instagram, and he began photographing his friends in his hometown of Malibu, California, “the land of beautiful people,” as he describes it.
What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. Citing Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin as main influences, McKeever experimented with various settings and social situations, eventually realizing that his strength and preference lay with swimwear and beach shoots. He has since professionally partnered with both modeling agencies and brands, including NEXT Models, Galore Magazine, Elite Models, L.A. Models, Wilhelmina Models, Brandy Melville, Lolli Swimwear, Mary Grace Swimwear, Planet Blue, and San Lorenzo Bikinis. In addition to his professional success, McKeever remains extremely adept at capturing the unique lifestyle of his Malibu peers. It is the commonality of youth that grants him access and affords him a transparent and uninhibited insight that would be unavailable to an older photographer.
This exhibition features photographs ranging from candid captures to commercial, in black and white, and color. The show is accented by video excerpts from the artist’s Instagram account, made complete by the emoji-imbued comments. McKeever acknowledges, “New Orleans has always been a cradle of independent artistic expression and I am incredibly honored to have my first solo exhibition there at the Arthur Roger Gallery. I’m also thrilled to be included in the company of the extraordinary photographers that Arthur has shown throughout the years, including Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber who are heroes of mine.”
Brent McKeever is currently a student at Malibu High School. He plans on continuing his education through graduate school and then pursuing a professional career in photography.