Hongkonger Douglas So is a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn. So when the chance arose to stage an exhibition featuring photos of the late film and fashion icon by American photographer Bob Willoughby, he jumped at it.
“Ever since the F11 Foto Museum opened in 2014, people have asked when we would have an exhibition on Audrey,” says So, founder of the Happy Valley arts space.
This year seemed the perfect time, marking the 90th anniversary of Hepburn’s birth and 10 years since the death of Willoughby, the first photographer recruited by a Hollywood studio to take on-set promotional stills.
Willoughby first met Belgium-born Hepburn when Paramount Studios signed her to a contract in 1953, following her starring role in the romantic hit Roman Holiday opposite Gregory Peck. Over the years their friendship flourished, allowing Willoughby to take hundreds of images of Hepburn in public and private.
“Audrey by Bob Willoughby”, an exhibition of 90 photographs – one for each year since her birth – will be held at the F11 Foto Museum from March 22 to July 27. It includes behind-the-scene shots and candid images taken at her home and with her children.
Most of the images were taken during Hepburn’s peak in the 1950s and ’60s, and include pictures from the sets of some of her most memorable movies: Green Mansions, The Children’s Hour, Paris When It Sizzles, My Fair Lady and Two For The Road.
“I wish we had more space to display more images,” says So. “It was a privilege working with [the photographer’s son] Christopher Willoughby, who guided us through hundreds of beautiful images of Audrey taken between 1953 and 1966.”
For Christopher Willoughby, the show brings back happy memories.
“My dad travelled constantly and was away from home more than he liked,” says the younger Willoughby, who is based in Los Angeles but will be in Hong Kong for the launch of the exhibition. “If he was on location for a long time he’d rent a house and bring the family along, so we had the opportunity to live in Ireland, France, England – it influenced the way my brothers and sister saw the world and is perhaps why my family is scattered across the globe.”
Christopher Willoughby says seeing his mother, Dorothy, and grandmother, Jean Quigley, in some of the pictures for the Hong Kong show puts a smile on his face.
“There are a few images I really like. Audrey in the cowboy hat is a unique look, Audrey shopping with her fawn Ip in the market is wonderful – I have it over my desk at home – and the shot of Audrey getting into a studio car is a classic,” he says.
Another favourite is an image of Hepburn in costume as Eliza, taken on the first day of shooting of the 1963 musical My Fair Lady.
“While being introduced to the international press Audrey sees my father – they hadn’t seen each other in a while – and she gives him one of those great smiles,” Christopher Willoughby says.
He says he has always wanted to show his father’s work in Hong Kong and China.
“It was important to find someone to present it properly, with passion and respect. When I connected with Douglas last year, it was clear this could be that opportunity.
“The Audrey exhibition is entirely Douglas’ vision. He understands his market, he is well respected in the community and is interested in showing Bob’s work in other cities in China.”
A book, Audrey by Bob Willoughby (HK$800), edited by So with a foreword by Christopher Willoughby, has been published to coincide with the exhibition.
Audrey by Bob Willoughby, F11 Foto Museum, 11 Yuk Sau St, Happy Valley, tel: 2811 4602. Until July 27. F11 Foto Musuem website: http://f11.com/
