Andreas Gurksy's photograph of iPhone designer Jonathan Ive goes on display at the National Portrait Gallery

Andreas Gursky took a rare portrait of Sir Jonathan Ive at Apple Park in California
Andreas Gursky © National Portrait Gallery
Robert Dex @RobDexES4 October 2019

A new portrait of Apple design guru Sir Jonathan Ive taken at the tech firm’s US HQ is going on show at the National Portrait Gallery.

The picture by photographer Andreas Gursky was taken in March at Apple Park in California and is a rare portrait by a man best known for his epic landscape images.

Sir Jonathan, whose work includes designing the iPod, iPhone and iPad, said he was honoured to have his picture taken by Gursky.

He said: “I have been obsessed with Andreas’ work for a couple of decades and vividly remember the thrill of our first meeting seven years ago.

“His very particular and objective presentation of what he sees, whether voluminous landscapes or the rhythm and repetition of supermarket shelving is both beautiful and provocative. Mindful that he rarely makes portraits, this is a conspicuous and particular honour for me.”

Gursky, who was the subject of a major retrospective at the Hayward Gallery last year, said it was “fascinating” to take pictures at the Sir Norman Foster designed building in California.

He added: “And above all, it was inspiring to work with Jonathan Ive within this setting. It was he who found the form for the technological revolution that was initiated by Apple and his aesthetic has left a mark on an entire generation. I admire his immense visionary power and have tried to express this energy in my portrait.”

The picture is the second in a series of portraits commissioned by the Outset Contemporary Art Fund following an earlier picture of education campaigner Malala Yousafzai.

Andreas Gursky at Hayward Gallery: 25 January - 22 April 2018

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