Every Eye Forms Its Own Beauty

Gallery 169 is proud to announce a collection of photographs shot by Werner Bokelberg between 1965-1973 including Andy Warhol, Romy Schneider, Joe Dallesandro, Jane Forth, Picasso, Isabel Weingarten, Uschi Obermaier. In 1966 Bokelberg had the opportunity and great fortune to spend one week in with Salvador Dali at the intimacy of his home in Port Lligat, Spain on the Costa Brava. The purpose was to produce a reportage and book on Dali. Twenty seven prints of Salvador Dali and seven vintage images that were taken during this time are prominently featured at gallery 169. Dali agreed to the reportage with only one condition: "A beautiful model needs to be included to spark his magic." The blond Danish model Lotte Tarp was chosen. 

In a career spanning fifty years, Bokelberg has traveled the world photographing people with the fundamental belief that "every eye forms its own beauty". "Beauty develops", he explains, "during the act of seeing, when one lays their eyes on it, and this is something unconstrained by time or perspective". Throughout the world people have been moved by the unique beauty they have found in Bokelberg images. 

Bokelberg's singular vision for the unparalleled picture has led to a multi-faceted career. As a photographer for Stern Magazine (1962 - 1972), he gained iconic photographs of celebrities during the turbulence of the 60's some of which are proudly shown at gallery 169. Later, as an advertising photographer, Bokelberg helped form many corporate images including successful campaigns for Lufthansa and Deutsche Bank. 

Over the years he has also amassed an extraordinary collection of photographic images by the legends of photography - a collection to which Art Magazine refers "From the first, the best". Indeed, the photography of Bokelberg is regarded by many as both pioneering and inspirational. Bokelberg images are beyond fashion trends. They have a cosmopolitan nature and yet remain timeless classics.