Title: Self Portrait 1975
A self portrait I took in 1975 while at college. At that time I experimented with different portrait lighting, black and white films and development processes.
I bought my first camera, a Soviet made Zenit-E SLR, in 1970. I still have the first roll of black and white 35 millimeter film that I developed and the images I printed from it, scratches and all. The smell of developer and fixer from the countless hours I have spent in darkrooms is still imprinted in my brain. Over the years I was able to upgrade my equipment and to this day I always carry a camera. As an investor and television host I have traveled the world and have had many unique opportunities to capture images that I could have only dreamed about when I was a teenager in my high school photo club. Today I have tens of thousands of photographs from dozens of countries, spanning multiple decades. While working on the television production “Redemption Inc.” I met Olga Korper, Claire Christie, Nicholas Metivier and Stephen Bulger. They are some of the world’s best art dealers and curators. I am in perpetual debt for their advice and guidance in mounting this project. I also wish to thank master technicians and photographers Noel Chenier, Stephen Kralik, Ramin Wright and Rebecca Fazio for their meticulous skills and thousands of hours spent in coaxing out the best images possible from original negatives in some cases 40 years old. My wife Linda showed extraordinary patience and editorial skills as I sought her opinion and recollection on thousands of images as I compiled and edited photographs at all times of the day and night. My thanks to Charles Chiu and his team at Colourgenics who printed the work and Peter Porebski and his wife Elizabeth at The Guilder who did the archival framing and Peter Hill who helped curate the show and mount it. They are all master craftsmen. The unique exhibit catalogs were designed, printed and donated by Brian Whiteman founder of Groovebook Inc. in Los Angeles. Finally I thank Brenda Parres and Bonnie Haig-Marmoreo and their art event team at Brookfield Properties who donated their gallery space and gave this collection its first showing.
When I look at these images they take me back to the spot I was standing when I took them - positive proof you can time travel! I hope you enjoy viewing this work as much as I did shooting it.
Why buy this photography?
I am often asked whether entrepreneurs are born or taught. Who cares! What I know is that we need to support the young entrepreneurs and innovators in our communities. Every dollar of profit from the sale of my photographs will go to support teenage entrepreneurs across the land. If you are passionate about keeping our country growing and creating jobs, then buy this work with the knowledge that you are helping our next generation pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. There is nothing more important for our future than encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.
Kevin O'Leary
Each photograph is a limited signed edition of 25 Guilder museum hand made frame painted lacquer white with archival print behind UV resistant non reflective glass All profits donated to support teenage entrepreneurs. To purchase framed prints contact Laura Davidson at
[email protected], call 1-647-802-9797 or visit kevinoleary.com
