Legendary Rock 'n' Roll Photographer Lynn Goldsmith Opens Her Home for New Art Gallery
Rock ‘n’ Roll Portrait
Named for her iconic pictures of rock ‘n’ roll superstars, Rock and Roll Photo Gallery is an immersive viewing experience located in Goldsmith’s home. Pictures of Prince, Keith Richards, and Bob Dylan adorn the walls of her studio, along with her passion projects and one-of-a-kind paintings. Whether you are a homeowner looking to beautify your space, a decorator needing to fill the walls of a new restaurant or an architect building a personalized studio, everything in this gallery has a place in your design.
Goldsmith’s skill for capturing moments beyond the music became immediately apparent as she began photographing iconic artists. But her work became iconic when she decided she wanted to shoot more than just a performance. “I started thinking about people like the Stones and how their work comes from a certain kind of process,” Goldsmith said. “That process involves not just the live performances, but there is a range of things that go into being a successful musical icon and artist.”
Luckily, Goldsmith had the opportunity to photograph artists in her studio and in their everyday lives. She began compiling several years of one artist’s journey to create her rock mosaics. Each piece captures an artist’s life and spirit during and behind the music. “I had the skill set as well as the opportunity to not just photograph in my photo studio,” Goldsmith said. “But to be on the road, to be at home with them and to see their life, so that is what the rock mosaic is about.”
While she is best known for rock ‘n’ roll photography, Goldsmith’s creativity knows no bounds.
Thumbelina
“My mother used to say, ‘Lynn, a jack of all trades, and a master of none,’” Goldsmith joked. “I would say, ‘Thank you, mom, I like to think I’m a master of all trades.’”
That moniker holds up. Apart from her rock ‘n’ roll photos Goldsmith also turns the camera on herself, creating her dream-like self-portraits. In these images, you will find her in an almost mannequin-like fashion posing as a variety of bizarre characters. In “Thumbelina” she is no taller than a flower, and in “Tea Cup Dreams” she is sleeping amidst a chaotic room full of hanging plates and towering cakes. These surreal settings will send every viewer down the rabbit hole and can add something magical to any space needing a facelift.
“These are all based on what’s real and what’s imagined,” Goldsmith said. All of her self-portrait work can be found on display in the Parthenon. “When I first got to Nashville and I saw the Parthenon I thought it would be a great place to show this work because it’s an unreal environment.”
Blame it on the Fragrance
Due to the uniqueness of all her art, Goldsmith puts incredible thought into ensuring each piece finds the perfect home. She used to own a brick-and-mortar gallery in Aspen, Colo., but wanted a more personal approach with her clients. Now, she keeps her gallery in her home, holding appointments so she can have conversations about each client’s decorating needs and how her art can help elevate a room. She will also visit clients’ homes to custom pick which pieces are the best fit for their space, whether it’s a rock ‘n’ roll photograph, a bizarre self-portrait or a commissioned painting. “It needs to be a conversation,” she said.
Teacup Dreams
Goldsmith has traveled with her art all around the world. However, she now thinks Nashville will be her permanent home, thanks to the vibrant art and music scene. “I like to move to a place every 20 years,” Goldsmith said. “That is what I call a pattern interrupt. A place where maybe I know a few people but I don’t know the place. I don’t know the South, and I put myself in a position of fear and struggling, but now that I’m at this stage of my life this is probably the last time. I don’t think I’m leaving.”
Goldsmith’s gallery is truly a sight to behold. With the incredible variety of rock ‘n’ roll photographs, abstract paintings, and surreal self-portraits, there is something for everyone at the Rock and Roll Photo Gallery.