David Yarrow

David Yarrow, World-Renowned Fine Art Photographer, made history capturing iconic imagery in Aspen, Colorado. The photographs will be on view at the primary gallery located at 611 East Cooper Avenue from December 15, 2022 - April 15, 2023. Casterline|Goodman Gallery will have six of these images exclusively.

70 years after the silver market burst at the turn of the century, Aspen boomed bigger and louder than it ever had before. It was a freewheeling bohemian paradise with rock and roll as important to its very essence as skiing itself. The question was not as much which area to ski, but whether to hang with The Eagles, John Denver or Jimmy Buffett.

There is no doubt that Aspen is the most notorious, scandal ridden ski resort in the world. Its mere name evokes imagery of heavy partying, glamour and celebrities, which is a little unfair on all those that go up the hill from Glenwood Springs simply to ski.

Good things have happened in the town, but so have many bad things, which makes it delicious material for the Storyteller.

The J Bar at the Jerome Hotel in Aspen is an integral part of the Shangri-La that is Aspen. There is a freewheeling vibe to a bar that has hosted all sorts over many decades. I have long wanted to throw an extreme mix of characters into this set and in doing so give a nod to the town’s inclusivity and breadth. Nothing is normal in Aspen and over the years there has been more scandal and intrigue than there has been conformity. This is a bohemian destination as much as it is a ski destination.

My goal was to play to the lore of the wild west with a smorgasbord of storybook characters. There was room for some giddy western revisionism and I was keen not to be too earnest. My predilection was that 1880 Aspen and 1980 Aspen were both quite loosely governed and there should be a definite sense that trouble lay ahead. Saloons in the mountains should have exciting patrons, not bland ones.

I called upon two exceptional talents to lead this image, fellow Brits, Cara Delevingne and Gerard Butler. Cara has such a strong look and Gerry can walk into any period set and own it. I can’t think of a better couple to play western archetypes. The rest of the ensemble all played their roles to perfection and I thank them all, as well as the management of the Jerome who accommodated our every need.

My best work tends to have two common features: the first is that it has some authenticity and the second is that the photograph can be looked at for a long time. I think this image scores high on both counts and each time I look at it, I recognise that the Jerome would never have had a more formidable patron than Gerard Butler’s character. He owns that room - despite some exceptional competition.

Aspen has fallen.