Patricia Anne “Pattie” Boyd is a successful British actress, model and photographer, but is best known for her marriages to
George Harrison of The Beatles, and Eric Clapton. Labeled as a great muse, Pattie was the inspiration behind some of these musicians greatest love songs, most notably Harrison's “Something,” and Clapton's “Bell Bottom Blues”, “Layla”, and “Wonderful Tonight.”
Pattie kicked off her
modeling career in 1962, but was rejected by several photographers due to her
avant-garde look. Referencing Boyd's misshapen smile, one candid photographer stated that, “Models don't look like rabbits.” Despite a shaky beginning, Pattie went on to model in London, New York and Paris, and was photographed by
David Bailey and
Terence Donovan. Eventually, she turned the lens onto her closet friends and lovers, and was able to compile her personal collection of photographs to create an internationally adored exhibition, entitled
Through the Eye of a Muse. Fortunately, my friends and I were lucky enough to catch her show in at
the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada, and do a meet and greet with the show's the curator,
Peter Miniaci.
The first exhibition was displayed
in 2005 at the San Francisco Art Exchange, a gallery that specializes in pop music-related artwork and photography. A fitting venue, as the aim of Boyd’s showcase is to illuminate the creative link between art, music and popular culture. The exhibition presents some 60 images that Boyd took in her time with Harrison and Clapton, which include photographs of the Beatles, other English musician acquaintances (
Mick Jagger,
Keith Richards,
Ron Wood), famous friends (
Linda McCartney,
Jerry Hall) and landscapes from her travels abroad. Most, if not all, of Pattie’s images
display famous artists in repose, away from the prying eyes of an audience and scrutiny of the media. The images relay life, love and peace. They leave the viewer wanting more than a mere glance into these stills, but to take part in the activities and bask in the serene environments because Boyd intimately connects the viewer with her subject. For example, Boyd shoots Harrison running backwards up a bleak snow-caped hilly landscape while directly staring straight into the lens. Harrison acknowledges the photo-taker by turning back and smiling, thus inviting the viewer into the action of the moment and into his world. An invitation many an individual could not turn down. There are many more examples of Pattie's subjects returning the eye of the gaze, making this exhibit feel more like an esoteric gathering for a select few rather than a public art show.
In 2007, Pattie released
Wonderful Today: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, which climbed to the top of the
New York Times Bestsellers list of 2008. Everyone loves a good little bit of gossip, especially as the biography went up against Eric Clapton’s own autobiography, which was published shortly thereafter. I was lucky enough to get a copy of Pattie’s book for Christmas and am looking forward to reading it on my way to Montreal for New Years Eve.
There are many thought provoking photo's of Pattie's famous friends, but my one wish for this exhibit is to see more images of the photographer herself. As a "muse", I think that Pattie, like many females before and after her, are forever tied down to the 'groupie' label. The truth is that Pattie Boyd was successful before meeting George Harrison or Eric Clapton, and that there is no telling what kind of adventures she could have had without their presence in her life, and vice versa. In fact,
Pattie is widely credited with introducing eastern spirituality to the Beatles. How about them apples? As you view her photo's, remember that this is a personal showcase of photographs, and that each image was carefully constructed by a trained photographer.
Miniaci agrees and concedes that he would like to include more images of Boyd in the next leg of the exhibition. The Toronto showcase includes
a mirror self portrait and a British Vogue cover from the late 1960's/early 1970's inspired by Hindu make-up. Indeed, from our conversation about the exhibition, I was able to get the sense that she is one special lady. In fact, the curator admits that, after spending so much time with the artist and getting to know her beyond the stereotype, "[he] can see why they all had a thing for her."
I love the idea that a person can inspire another individual so much so that they just absolutely have to get up, to concoct a work of art, to express an emotion in a poem, a painting, anything to capture that particular moment. Pattie Boyd's connection to her subjects is captured through a lens, but represented in their smiles, the a dream like state, free of worry and full of love.
Now, quit reading and go see the show!
Pattie Boy:
Through the Eyes of a Muse
November 22 - December 31, 2008
The Great Hall Gallery
1087 Queen Street W.
Monday-Friday 12-6pm & Saturday - Sunday 1-6pm(Source:
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Miniaci agrees and concedes that he would like to include more images of Boyd in the next leg of the exhibition. The Toronto showcase includes a mirror self portrait and a British Vogue cover from the late 1960's/early 1970's inspired by Hindu make-up. Indeed, from our conversation about the exhibition, I was able to get the sense that she is one special lady. In fact, the curator admits that, after spending so much time with the artist and getting to know her beyond the stereotype, "[he] can see why they all had a thing for her."
Take a good look at some of the pieces. If you slowly start collecting vintage objects, maybe do a fair amount of digging and rummaging through your local markets, I'm quite positive that it would be easy to replicate the Marquis & Camus aesthetic. Look, a quick trip to Etsy and I've already got myself a great start. Pffft, this will be easy as pie.
Bronze Horse Cameo Ring
