The National Portrait Gallery in London, which typically displays works featuring Britain’s most famous faces, has opened its doors to none other than Bob Dylan. In an "uncharacteristic fodder," the museum will display 12 new pastel portraits by the rock star from August 24, 2013 - January 5, 2014 in a show called "Bob Dylan: Face Value."
Perhaps the exhibit is the NPG's small-scale answer to the record-breaking David Bowie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Both museums have turned to music icons to bring in visitors. Even the Metropolitan Museum's "Punk: Chaos to Couture" capitalized on the hype behind music-driven cultural movements.
This isn't Dylan's first visual art rodeo. The artist started exhibiting works six years ago, including the controversial "The Asia Series" at Gagosian Gallery in New York in 2011, a show that featured works a little too similar to photographs by other artists. "Face Value" will feature Dylan's sketches of his friends as well as characters from the singer's imagination.
The NPG's directory Sandy Nairne told The Guardian, "Of course there is always a risk when an artist crosses into a different medium, but Dylan has always taken those risks. I think when people see them they will find them very powerful, and I am very confident people will find them interesting."
