Orlando Museum of Art to host major David LaChapelle retrospective in early 2026

David LaChapelle, ‘The House at the End of the World,’ Los Angeles, 2005 Credit: Courtesy OMA

Famed celebrity photographer David LaChapelle is getting the retrospective treatment in the City Beautiful next year, courtesy of the Orlando Museum of Art.

David LaChapelle: As the World Turns — opening Jan. 31, 2026 — will reportedly be the largest U.S. museum retrospective of the photographer’s works to date, presenting more than 100 of his photographs.

The works featured will include well-known works and fantastical portraits of the likes of Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Madonna, Muhammed Ali, Charli XCX, TuPac Shakur and Doja Cat, as well as a number of previously unseen shots.

The exhibition covers his full four-decade career arc, with editorial photos, celeb portraits, early “religious figurative work” and more narrative-based photographic compositions. And as with the recent J. Grant Brittain retrospective, there will be plenty of related ephemera (like negatives) and behind-the-scenes shots.

“This exhibition at OMA is very special to me because I am revealing many new pieces that required me to use all of the experiences from my life to make. I have felt a great freedom in my work through recent years — as I continue to play with themes of popular culture while also returning to the narratives that offer a reflection of the spiritual world and metaphysical ideas,” LaChapelle said in a press statement. “In a way, this is like a group show because Coralie [Claeysen-Gleyzon, chief OMA curator]’s curation creates an experience where all of the different stages and sides of my work can be seen and felt.”

One night ahead of the exhibition opening, there will be a — what else? — red carpet reception on Jan. 30 with music, snacks and a sneak peek of the photos. And there will be related programming during the full exhibition run, including a lecture and book-signing by LaChapelle, date TBA.

Tickets for the opening reception go on sale Saturday, Dec. 6, through OMA.

David LaChapelle: As the World Turns runs from Jan. 31, 2026, to May 3, 2026.