The Linda McCartney Retrospective, which is curated by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney, features iconic names and moments in music from the 1960s along with more intimate and emotional later work by this acclaimed and prolific photographer.

The retrospective also includes one of Linda McCartney’s diaries from the 1960s displayed in public for the first time and bringing new insight into the contemporary music scene of the era and the beginnings of her photographic career.

Cameras used by Linda McCartney and held in her archive will be displayed in public for the first time, along with Polaroids and Contact Sheets to explore her creativity and use of the different techniques.

The range of material to be displayed reflects the McCartney family’s passion for Linda’s work and their desire for the extensive contents of her archives to be accessible to a wider audience.

Sir Paul McCartney said

Linda would have been so proud of this exhibition being held in Scotland, a country she loved so much and spent so many happy days in.”

Stella McCartney said: 

Through these images you meet the real mother I knew. You see her raw and deep talent and passion for her art, photography. Ahead of her time on every level this mother of four still held her camera close like a companion, she captures the world around her through her eyes and this can be seen on the walls around the exhibition. Her humour, her love of family and nature and her moments framed with a slight surreal edge... Scotland was one of her favourite places on earth, and so many images were taken there. Enjoy her passion and compassion…”

The exhibition was first shown at the Kunst Hausn Wien museum, Vienna and subsequently at The Pavillon Populaire, Montpellier and Daelim Museum, Seoul.

Themes including The Sixties, Family Life, Self Portraits, Observations – Animals and Nature, and Scotland, featuring pictures taken at the family home in Argyll and of people from local communities in Campbeltown, shape this significant retrospective.

Linda McCartney became a professional photographer in the mid-1960s, known for her portraits of Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, among many others. In 1968 she was the first female photographer whose work was featured as the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, with a portrait of Eric Clapton. In 1974, when Linda and Paul appeared on Rolling Stone’s cover, she became the first person to have been photographed and taken a photo for the cover of the magazine: a neat reflection of Linda’s life both in Front of and behind the lens. Following her marriage to Paul McCartney in 1969, Linda’s photographs became more intimate and emotional, exploring the natural world, family life and social commentary.

Linda McCartney continued to work prolifically as a photographer until her death from breast cancer in 1998. Her work has been exhibited by institutions including the International Center of Photography in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said

The Linda McCartney Retrospective at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is set to be one of the most highly anticipated exhibitions opening in 2019.

“We are delighted to be showing this fascinating exhibition which explores the full spectrum of photographic work by Linda McCartney, from her early career as a woman photographer working in a sector dominated at the time by men to her documentation of her family life and the natural world.

“Curated by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney this retrospective provides us with a fascinating and rare insight into a brilliant artist during the different periods of her photographic practice.”