Photographer Kevin Westenberg is famed for his creation of provocative and electrifying images of world-class musicians, artists and movie stars for over 25 years. His technique of lighting, colour and composition has helped to produce his own unique visual style.
Shortly after receiving an Architecture degree he moved to London where he’s been based since 1983. Westenberg is self-taught and learned his trade working for the UK inkies New Musical Express and Melody Maker mainly throughout the late 80’s and 90’s documenting amongst others the UK ‘Britpop’ bands.
The breakthrough came in 1993-1994 with the release of Sting’s ‘Ten Summoner’s Tales’ and Mary J Blige’s ‘Share My World’. These two album covers changed the perception of the work worldwide and thus began a run of 20 years of commissions and great opportunities.
For the last 25 years, his musical heritage includes portraits of BB King, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, White Stripes, Jane's Addiction, Sting, Bjork, Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Luther Vandross, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Roses, The Pixies, Paul Weller, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Stipe, U2, Mary J. Blige, R.E.M, Black Sabbath, Massive Attack, BB King, The Rolling Stones, PJ Harvey, Marilyn Manson, Pete Doherty, Oasis, Tom Jones, Soundgarden, Jake Bugg, Bon Jovi and Paddy McAloon among many others. Also included are 100’s of Albums, Singles, Magazine and Book covers from around the world
Rolling Stone, Spin, Q, Time Out, Les Inrockuptibles, Vogue, Rockin On Japan, Esquire, New York Times Magazine, Telegraph and Observer Magazines, Interview and dozens of others around the world have commissioned him.
The last 15 years he has been a staff photographer at MOJO Magazine producing many covers and features.
Westenberg’s first major global museum show was in 2012 at the ‘Kobe Fashion Museum’ one of Japan’s largest museums. The whole museum was dedicated to Westenberg’s works for a 3 month period. He exhibited over 70 images in a wide range of sizes and styles.
Exhibiitons and Awards:
1991-2001 – Photographer of choice for Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails
1998-2007 – Photographer for BB King. Numerous album covers and press shoots
1998 – Official photographer Black Sabbath reunion tour in Birmingham. Album Cover
2001 – Official photographer for Cannes Film Festival, Studio Magazine
2004 – Guest judge for Canon’s prestigious ‘New Cosmos Of Photography’ competition
2002-2005 – Photographer of choice for Coldplay. Documenting their rise to stardom
2005 – Official photographer LIVE 8 Hyde Park London
2006 – Idyll Worship. First major exhibition. London.
2006 – Contributor. ‘Director’s Cut’. Getty Images Gallery. London.
2007 – Idyll Worship. Expozone. Antwerpen, Belgium
2007 – Official photographer Led Zeppelin re-union show. O2 Arena London.
2008 – Featured Photographer Blue Balls Festival. Lucerne Switzerland.
2009 – Contributor ‘Who Shot Rock&Roll’ Brooklyn Museum.
2009 – Pop Icons. Exhibition Contributor. The Mall. London. England.
2010 – Contributor Roman Abramovich’s new private club ‘Under The Bridge’.
9 images are now part of the permanent collection.
2010 – Contributor new Virgin Formula One Team Headquarters.
17 images are now part of the permanent collection.
2010 – Contributor ‘A Star Is Born’ Museum Folkwang Germany. 7 of the images are now part of the permanent collection.
2011 – Exhibition. ‘The Rolling Stones’ RAW Gallery. Melbourne. Australia.
2011 – Exhibition. ‘Beautiful People’ Le Cabinet Des Curieux. Paris. France
2012 – Exhibition. ‘The New Curiosity’ LondoNewcastle Project space. London. England.
2012 – Exhibition. SNAP Galleries. London. England
2012 – Exhibition. Kobe Fashion Museum. Kobe. Japan
2012 – Exhibition. Tanto Tempo Gallery. Kobe. Japan.
2012 – Exhibition ‘A Star Is Born’ Museum der bildenden Kunste Leipzig. Germany.
7 of the images are now part of the permanent collection.
2013 – Exhibition. SAATCHI Gallery. Strarta Art Fair’.
2013 - Exhibition. ‘Sex Drugs and…’ Group show at Gallery DIFFERENT London