Introducing Terry O’Neill

At the "Beyond Boundaries" exhibition currently on view at 125 Space in partnership with Maddox Gallery, visitors are invited to explore the dynamic legacy of Terry O'Neill, a legendary photographer who captured iconic moments in fashion, music, and celebrity culture, shaping the visual narrative of the 20th century.

Terry O'Neill, born in 1938 in East London to Irish parents, began his illustrious photography career while working at London’s Heathrow Airport, where he captured candid moments of passengers in transit. His talent was quickly recognized when he unknowingly photographed Home Secretary Rab Butler, which led to a position with the Daily Sketch in 1959. This marked the start of O'Neill's journey toward becoming one of the most iconic celebrity photographers of his era.

Throughout the 1960s, O’Neill was at the forefront of a cultural revolution, documenting the world of celebrities, musicians, and politicians. He is particularly renowned for capturing intimate, unstaged moments of some of the most famous musicians of the time, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and David Bowie. His celebrated images of Elton John, later compiled in the book Eltonography (2008), remain some of his most iconic works.

O’Neill's portfolio extended beyond the music world to include portraits of political figures such as Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Nelson Mandela, as well as members of the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II. His behind-the-scenes photographs from film sets also led to some of his most recognized work, particularly the series featuring his soon-to-be wife, actress Faye Dunaway, following her 1977 Oscar win for Network. The intimate poolside shots of Dunaway at the Beverly Hills Hotel are now part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

BRIGITTE BARDOT, 1971, Posthumous C-Type Print, 119 x 94 cm | Edition of 50 and 10

O'Neill’s career was highlighted by numerous prestigious exhibitions, including those at the Getty Image Gallery in London, the San Francisco Art Exchange, and Leeds Gallery. He was also credited as executive producer of the film Mommie Dearest (1981) and provided photography for the opera film Aria (1987). His contribution to the field of photography was recognized by the Royal Photographic Society, which awarded him an honorary fellowship in 2004 and the Centenary Medal in 2011. O'Neill's timeless photographs continue to define an era of glamour, fame, and cultural transformation.

Artworks by the legendary Terry O’Neill are currently on display at Beyond Boundaries in partnership with Maddox Gallery London.