Andy Warhol, August 22, 1980

MICHAEL HALSBAND (b. 1956) is a New York City native who started photography as a hobby at ten years old. He refined his practice in high school, where he studied photography, eventually attending the School of Visual Arts. Over his 4-decade career, Halsband has captured some of the most influential figures of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Rolling Stones, and James Brown.

Halsband is best known for his iconic portrait of Warhol and Basquiat in boxing gloves—an image that has become emblematic of the 1980s art scene. After collaborating with Warhol, the artist became one of Halsband’s favorite and most frequently photographed subjects. His work is defined by a striking combination of raw intimacy and timeless composition, seamlessly blending documentary realism with a deep connection to his subjects.

Halsband has exhibited widely in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the National Portrait Gallery, and the Brooklyn Museum. His work has been featured in publications including Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Interview Magazine. In addition to his commercial and editorial photography, Halsband has published several books, including Surf Book (2005), a collaboration with artist Joel Tudor documenting global surf culture.