Oscar Abolafia

Oscar Abolafia (1935 – 2020), a descendant of an important 15th-century Spanish-Jewish immigrant family, grew up in New York. Both he and his brother Louis made a name for themselves in the city: Oscar as a photographer, and Louis as an artist. Together, they gained significant public attention when Louis ran as the 'Naked Candidate' for the U.S. presidency in 1968. Oscar was responsible for the famous nude portrait on the campaign poster with the slogan "What have I got to hide?" They also succeeded in convincing artist Salvador Dalí to paint live in a plastic bubble installation at Lincoln Center in New York City. In 1970, Oscar married his Dutch love, Joke, in the Netherlands, and they have lived together in New York ever since. Abolafia’s body of work is vast and diverse. He was present at pivotal events that changed the world, capturing history in a deeply personal and poignant way. With his sensitivity to atmosphere and his eye for detail, he was able to capture what remained hidden to others. His portraits of icons such as Salvador Dalí, Liz Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Bette Davis, Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix, Audrey Hepburn, and Elvis Presley offer an intimate glimpse into their personal lives. Meanwhile, his photos of premieres and parties provide a brilliant snapshot of the glitter and glamour of New York during the tumultuous '60s and '70s.