This piece was originally published on JAZZ.FM91. 

At 80 years old, Toronto born photographer Douglas Kirkland is receiving his first Canadian exhibition. It’s high time.

He was born in the GTA, and moved to Fort Erie as a youngster where he discovered his love for photography. When he returned to Toronto he found work at a Photo store on the Kingsway. Before long he had caught the eye of major publications like Look and Life Magazine. His most memorable collection comes from one of the final photo sessions ever booked with actress and model Marilyn Monroe.

His affiliation with Look and Life allowed for a treasure trove of subjects, and over the last 60 years the list has gone from impressive to legendary. Mick Jagger, Dr. Stephen Hawking, Mick Jagger, Sting, Björk, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman, Orson Welles, Andy Warhol, Oliver Stone, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, Michael Jackson, and Charlie Chaplin.

He also worked on film sets, taking principal stills for integral cinematic events like Titanic, Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

His Canadian debut exhibit is titled “A Life in Pictures”. It features 21 limited edition photos including 6 from the celebrated 1961 Marilyn Monroe series. Others on display include Audrey Hepburn, Jack Nicolson, JFK and Coco Chanel.

Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore met up with Douglas Kirkland at the Izzy Gallery surrounded by the stunning set of large print images from his illustrious career.

Douglas Kirkland’s “A Life in Pictures” is at Izzy Gallery, 106 Yorkville Ave until June 30th. izzygallery.com  or douglaskirklandphotography.com to learn more.

Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore is heard at 8:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays during the JAZZ.FM91 Arts Report. And don’t miss his arts and culture interview and entertainment magazine program, Arts Toronto, Sundays between 8-9 a.m. 

To get in touch with Mark it’s mwigmore@jazz.fm.