Russell Young

Photographer, printmaker, and fine artist Russell Young confronts American glamour with a pop-art edge. Growing up orphaned in the UK, Young lied about their age at 15 years old to gain admittance to Chester Art College and Exeter College of Art to keep himself off the street. After graduating he moved to New York City, where he began music photography which would develop into his trademark celebrity portraiture style. Photographing the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor—Young distills their essence into gilded screen prints with diamond dust-infused ink.

Young’s notoriety as a portrait photographer brought them to Los Angeles, where they began directing music videos. This also translated into album photography, in which Russell would collaborate with George Michael, Morrissey, Enya, and other musicians. Young would later suffer from a coma, leading the artist to favor painting. He now lives bicoastally, continuing his music video work and fine artistry in Los Angeles and New York City.