Michael Jackson: On the Wall Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London: Until 21 October 2018

This is archived material. It is for reference purposes only.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, 'Michael Jackson: On the Wall' exhibition is at the National Portrait Gallery from 28 June to 21 October. The exhibition includes the work of 48 contemporary artists on the singer, who would have turned 60 this year.

The title On the Wall, is a play on the singer’s 1979 album ‘Off the Wall’, and explores the influence that Michael Jackson had on contemporary art. Take the opportunity to see the singer through the eyes of 48 artists, 46 of whom are still alive today. Andy Warhol was the first to use Michael Jackson’s image in 1982, and since the singer has become the most depicted figure in visual art.

Warhol’s 1984 silkscreen of Michael Jackson, which graced the cover of Time magazine, is one of the more recognisable images in the exhibition. Other artists include Kehinde Wiley, (Obama’s portrait painter) and Candice Breitz (who executed the impressive final piece of the exhibition).

The works on display are of varying mediums and come from public, as well as private, collections from around the globe. A few works have even been especially created for the event.

After finishing in London the exhibition will travel to Paris, Bonn and Espoo in Finland.

National Portrait Gallery

Wolfson and Lerner Galleries, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE

Opening Times

Every day 10:00-18:00.

Open late Fridays until 21:00.

KAWS; An Illuminating Path by David LaChapelle 1998. Courtesy of the artist © David LaChapelle
KAWS; An Illuminating Path by David LaChapelle 1998. Courtesy of the artist © David LaChapelle
Michael Jackson by Andy Warhol 1984. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. / Gift of Time magazine © 2018 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London
Michael Jackson by Andy Warhol 1984. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. / Gift of Time magazine © 2018 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by DACS, London
Michael Jackson’s ‘dinner jacket’ by Michael Lee Bush Date unknown, Courtesy of John Branca. Image © Julien’s Auctions / Summer Evans
Michael Jackson’s ‘dinner jacket’ by Michael Lee Bush Date unknown, Courtesy of John Branca. Image © Julien’s Auctions / Summer Evans
Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson) by Kehinde Wiley 2010. Olbricht Collection, Berlin. Photo by Jeurg Iseler. Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery, London and Sean Kelly Gallery, New York © Kehinde Wiley
Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson) by Kehinde Wiley 2010. Olbricht Collection, Berlin. Photo by Jeurg Iseler. Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery, London and Sean Kelly Gallery, New York © Kehinde Wiley
King (A Portrait of Michael Jackson) by Candice Breitz 2005. Courtesy: Kaufmann Repetto (Milan) + KOW (Berlin)
King (A Portrait of Michael Jackson) by Candice Breitz 2005. Courtesy: Kaufmann Repetto (Milan) + KOW (Berlin)

Opening Hours

Monday:
10:00 - 18:00
Tuesday:
10:00 - 18:00
Wednesday:
10:00 - 18:00
Thursday:
10:00 - 18:00
Friday:
10:00 - 21:00
Saturday:
10:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
10:00 - 18:00