Courtesy images
VENTURA — Experience the highly-acclaimed fashion and beauty imagery of photographer Neal Barr and meet the artist at the opening reception for the new exhibition, In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr, 6–8 p.m., Dec. 8, at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura.
Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
The exhibit’s extensive collection of Barr’s iconic photographic images leads the
viewer through Barr’s extraordinary life and career, from his early beginnings in
Ventura, CA to his fashion career in New York City and back again to Ventura.
Barr began his career as a U. S. Army Public Information Office photographer
headquartered in Achaffenberg, Germany from 1954-55. Returning to Ventura, he
enrolled at Brooks Institute on the GI Bill in 1956, and upon graduating in 1958,
moved to New York City where he landed his first job as assistant to fashion
photographer Ray Kellman, and later worked for Wilhela Cushman, fashion editor
of Ladies’ Home Journal, and for fine art and fashion photographer Irving Penn.
He went on to launch his own business and during his career spanning more than
50-plus years, has photographed some of the world’s most famous faces, including
Warren Beatty, Sophia Loren, designer Halston and boxer Cassius Clay for top
publications, such as Harper’s Bazaar, Ladies’ Home Journal and Sports
Illustrated.
“Neal’s remarkable career has spanned over five decades, capturing the essence of
beauty and fashion, as well as cultural shifts, including his 1968 photograph of
Naomi Sims for the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal which broke the color
barrier for mainstream women’s magazines,” said Anna Bermudez, curator at the
Museum of Ventura County. “Visitors will be able to experience the changing
trends over time through the artistry and uniqueness of Neal’s work.”
More recently, Barr, a Ventura native, moved his studio back to Ventura and has
been working on a comprehensive book documenting women’s fashions of the
1920s. He was honored by Brooks Institute of Photography as 2015 Distinguished
Alumnus.
In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr will be on display from Dec. 8,
2017 through April 8, 2018. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or
call 805-653-0323.