Warhol Basquiat Exhibition Poster, 1985

Born and raised in New York City, Michael Halsband discovered photography at the mere age of 10. He received a B.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts in 1980 and began making portraits of artists and musicians, including his most known and iconic portrait of Andy Warhol & Jean-Michel Basquiat with boxing gloves. His early projects included six months as the tour photographer for The Rolling Stones on their 1981 “Tattoo You” tour, as well as a six-year project documenting the School of American Ballet. In 2005, Michael published “Surf Book,” a collection of his portraits of legendary surfers, and the culmination of a five-year project. He has exhibited worldwide. Some of Halsband's recent solo exhibitions include, “Halsband Portraits,” in April 2015 at the National Arts Club, Grand Gallery in New York City, and a larger retrospective also titled “Halsband Portraits,” at the Southampton Arts Center, NY, in November 2017. Michael published his second book, “Halsband Portraits,” as an accompaniment to the National Arts Club exhibition.