Image via Complex Original
Photographer Ryan McGinley's ascent in the art world was rapid and impressive, especially given his accomplishments at such a young age. He has come to embody the downtown NYC cool kid of the contemporary moment, being both a part of the scene and an innovator of it.
McGinley's work is anything but dull, whether he's capturing nude photos of friends running through the desert or M.I.A. swinging off of the Ohm Building in Manhattan. Chances are, you've seen his pieces of young people running free in nature or posing vacantly in his monochrome series.
Having just installed a sublime billboard piece titled "Blue Falling" on the High Line, we decided to revisit what makes McGinley so captivating both artistically and as a person. Enjoy these 20 Things You Didn't Know About Ryan McGinley.
Ryan was childhood friends with Dan Colen, both having grown up in Jersey.
Ryan was childhood friends with artist Dan Colen. The two grew up together in New Jersey.
Both artists are still friends to this day and have lived together for a total of 10 years.
Ryan was actually a jock growing up, and he met most of his close friends through various sports and skateboarding.
Ryan was actually a jock growing up, and he met most of his close friends through various sports and skateboarding.
Ryan McGinley was a snowboard instructor in high school, and he began skateboarding around age 13, eventually working at a skate shop called Surf n Turf in Hoboken. Ryan stated, "If I didn't find skateboarding, I wouldn't be the person I am today. It got me out of the town I lived in." He even skated with Leo Fitzpatrick from the cult classic movie, Kids.
Ryan picked up his first camera at 15-years-old and started making films of friends doing skateboarding tricks.
Ryan picked up his first camera at 15-years-old and started making films of friends doing skateboarding tricks.
Ryan realized from an early age that he was interested in capturing the in-between moments and overall lifestyle of people who seemed familiar to him.
Through graffiti writer Earsnot, Ryan met fellow artist Dash Snow.
Through graffiti writer Earsnot, Ryan met fellow artist Dash Snow.
While in art school, Ryan and Dan Colen met Dash Snow through another writer, Earsnot. They felt an instant bond with the 16-year-old, who was then known by his graffiti name, Sace. Dash Snow became one of Ryan's first muses.
While majoring in graphic design at Parsons, McGinley made 100 zines featuring his work.
While majoring in graphic design at Parsons, McGinley made 100 zines featuring his work.
One of his zines sold for $5000 years later.
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His first solo exhibition was in an abandoned gallery in SoHo, where he sold several copies of his self-printed zine, "The Kids Are Alright."
His first solo exhibition was in an abandoned gallery in SoHo, where he sold several copies of his self-printed zine, "The Kids Are Alright."
McGinley's friend's father owned the building at 420 Broadway, which was going to be demolished and turned into luxury lofts after a few months. He got permission to hold his show there, and it was a big moment in his career.
Artist Gilles Larrain became one of Ryan's early influences after seeing his book, Idols.
Artist Gilles Larrain became one of Ryan's early influences after seeing his book, Idols.
McGinley claims that Idols, published in 1973, is one of the best photography books he's ever seen, because of the way it features portraits of trannies, gender-benders, and other counter-culture people in New York City.
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All of his work relates to his family, as he actively searches for models that resemble how his brothers and sisters looked when they were younger.
All of his work is directly inspired by his family.
He actively searches for models who resemble how his brothers and sisters looked when they were younger. McGinley was the youngest child in his family by over a decade and was practically raised by his seven siblings.
He greatly admires photographer Berenice Abbott, whose work chronicles New York City being built.
He greatly admires photographer Berenice Abbott, whose work chronicles New York City being built.
Berenice Abbott moved to New York City to pursue photography, and McGinley followed in her footsteps.
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Morrissey's manager was a collector of his work and allowed him to shoot wherever he wanted throughout concerts.
Morrissey's manager was a collector of his work and allowed him to shoot wherever he wanted at concerts.
Having been a fan of Morrissey's from a young age, McGinley found that he's able to "predict" crowd favorites and reactions, making his photos reflect the peak of excitement at many of his shows.
McGinley is still the youngest artist to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art. He was 25.
McGinley is still the youngest artist to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art. He was 25.
A copy of The Kids Are Alright found its way onto the desk of Sylvia Wolf, who was the curator of photography at the Whitney Museum at the time. His show was a big success and catapulted McGinley's career in a major way.
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McGinley facilitated the formation of the New York City based band, The Virgins, by introducing and photographing two of its members in 2005.
McGinley facilitated the formation of the New York City-based band, The Virgins, by introducing and photographing two of its members in 2005.
The photo shoot brought together band members Donald Cumming and Wade Oates to work on tracks that Cumming had already started. The two other members, Erik Ratensperger and Nick Ackerman, joined shortly after.
The designer, Agnès B, sponsored his road trip across America in 2005.
The designer, Agnès B, sponsored his road trip across America in 2005.
Agnès B. was already a supporter of McGinley's, having bought his work and flown him to various locations. When McGinley proposed the trip to her, she agreed and wired him the money for the project. He did research to plan the cinematic settings (swimming holes, caves, and bungee-jumping sites) and went cross-country for three months with 10 friends. This adventure was the first of many road trips that lead to the 2008 series, "I Know Where the Summer Goes."
Ryan has a "hype-girl" who talks to his subjects and engages them in various activities while he photographs them with a digital camera.
Ryan has a "hype-girl" who talks to his subjects and engages them in various activities while he photographs them with a digital camera.
His "hype-girl," Brandee, holds up cards with emotions like "jealous" or "excited" while playing music to generally making the subjects feel more comfortable for the shoot.
McGinley received the prestigious ICP Infinity Young Photographer Award in 2007.
McGinley received the prestigious ICP Infinity Young Photographer Award in 2007.
His gritty images of his friends in New York's Lower East Side earned him one of the most notable photography awards, "given to those who have contributed new terms to the photography field vernacular." Other photographers who also received an award that year from the International Center of Photography were Tracey Moffatt and William Klein.
His style icon is actor, Willem Dafoe. He and Ryan were both muses for artist, Sandro Kopp.
His style icon is actor Willem Dafoe. He and Ryan were both muses for artist, Sandro Kopp.
Sandro Kopp, artist and partner to Tilda Swinton, used Ryan McGinley, Willem Dafoe, and others as muses for his solo exhibition, "There You Are."
Ryan doesn't use professional models for his work.
Ryan doesn't use professional models for his work.
He instead scouts at music festivals and art schools, looking for interesting people. Most of McGinley's subjects have tattoos out of his desire to not have anyone look too "Hollywood."
Ryan McGinley has shot over 100 concerts across the world.
Ryan McGinley has photographed over 100 concerts across the world.
McGinley and his crew have spent countless days and nights attending shows and photographing fans from various vantage points. Throughout the years, he's been able to capture people experiencing the emotional and physical energy of each event.
Ryan McGinley has shot a music video for the song "Varúð" by Sigur Ros.
Ryan McGinley has shot a music video for the song "Varúð" by Sigur Ros.
Sigur Rós' "Mystery Film Experiment" challenged filmmakers to create videos for the music on their latest album, Valtari, with a small budget and an artistic vision. McGinley stated, "This piece is my poem to New York City. I wanted to bring a childhood innocence to the streets, through a character whose own light and wonder effects the world around her."
He directed a short commercial for the 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week featuring supermodel Karlie Kloss.
He directed a short commercial for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this year featuring supermodel Karlie Kloss.
The ad features Karlie Kloss artfully running after a car and a white horse, proving McGinley's directing chops beyond photography and music videos.