A powerful new exhibition celebrating the life and work of renowned photographer Herb Ritts opens this month in West Hollywood, coinciding with the long-awaited dedication of STORIES: The AIDS Monument. The Herb Ritts Foundation, in partnership with Fahey/Klein Gallery and ONE Gallery, presents "Herb Ritts: Allies & Icons," an intimate showcase of photographs honoring activists, artists, and cultural leaders who transformed the global fight against AIDS.
Herb Ritts (1952-2002) stands among the most celebrated photographers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, known for his fresh and bold approach to the medium while capturing both the strength and vulnerability of his subjects. His distinctive clean modernist style, bold contrasts, and sculptural forms transformed ordinary subjects into enduring icons. The exhibition continues in the spirit of the AIDS Monument itself, remembering, celebrating, and educating through portraits of those who confronted one of history's greatest health crises.
"Herb Ritts: Allies & Icons" brings together striking black and white portraits of cultural figures who stood at the forefront of AIDS activism. The exhibition features photographs of Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Magic Johnson, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone, Tina Turner, Keith Haring, and many other influential personalities. Each subject used their voice, fame, and influence to fight stigma, support research, and bring compassion to a world gripped by fear during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
"Herb photographed the icons of his time. The notorious, the edgy, the culturally significant, and in doing so, gave us a visual record of an era marked by both beauty and profound loss. He sought not just to portray but to reveal, coaxing from his subjects a vulnerability that could disarm and a power that could inspire," said David Fahey, founder of Fahey/Klein Gallery and co-curator of "Herb Ritts: Allies & Icons."
The exhibition coincides with the dedication of STORIES: The AIDS Monument, a collaborative effort between the City of West Hollywood and the Foundation for the AIDS Monument (FAM). The monument, designed by artist Daniel Tobin, honors the lives lost, the survivors, and the communities and caregivers who fought tirelessly for dignity, treatment, and remembrance throughout the AIDS crisis.
Ritts himself lived with AIDS and served as a steadfast supporter of numerous organizations including amfAR, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Project Angel Food, and APLA. He was also a charter member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Using his platform and artistic influence, Ritts helped shift the narrative from silence to compassion, contributing books such as "Duo" and "Notorious" to raise significant funds for AIDS research and awareness initiatives.
The exhibition runs from November 13 through December 21, 2025, at ONE Gallery located at 626 N Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood. The public dedication of STORIES: The AIDS Monument will take place on November 16, 2025, at West Hollywood Park at 625 N San Vicente Boulevard, followed by a community celebration at The Abbey. West Hollywood Park is open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to midnight, and admission is free. Additional information about the AIDS Monument can be found at https://aidsmonument.org/, while details about the exhibition are available through ONE Gallery at https://www.oneinstitute.org/ and Fahey Klein Gallery at 148 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles.
