Daniel Cooney Fine Art is extremely pleased to host the first solo exhibition of photographs by 89 year-old New York City treasure Len Speier. Len has been photographing in New York and around the globe for the past 60+ years and we are proud to bring his life in photography to light.
Len’s first exposure to photography came from his Uncle Sam who gave him a camera and film developing kit for his 13th birthday. While other endeavors such as a stint in the Army’s First Cavalry Division, law school and a private law practice diverted Len from his first love, he eventually began to make pictures again in 1957 at the age of 30.
Len’s style of photographic vision reveals a deep understanding and affection for the human condition whether working in the Bronx or in mid-century Europe. His style is gentle, humorous and especially unique with a sophisticated visual language. His images are iconic, yet somehow unknown; at once familiar but full of surprises!
Len’s solo exhibition of approximately 48 vintage prints will open at the gallery on September 15th. It will feature work from New York and Europe from the 1960’s to 1980’s. We will celebrate Len’s 89th birthday with a public conversation between Len and writer Miss Rosen from Crave Online on Saturday, October 1st at 3pm. Len’s work has been proudly placed in the collections of the International Center of Photography, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, Museum of the City of New York and the New York Public Library.