BARON WOLMAN
June 25, 1937-November 2, 2020
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Baron Wolman by Tony Bonanno©
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We are beyond sad to convey the passing of our dear friend, frequent visitor to our gallery and singular, warm humanitarian, Baron Wolman.
We met through a cold call I made to him sometime in 1998. We talked at length, became instant friends and our professional and personal bonds deepened each passing year. Over our decades, we did numerous multi day events-gallery openings with lectures, portfolio reviews, book debuts with signings that had people lined up around the block to meet the man—the first chief Photographer of the legendary Rolling Stone Magazine!
Despite Baron’s immense fame and achievements in documenting an essential decade in the most important era of rock and roll, many are unaware that Baron was a pilot and aerial photographer, a noted author, sought after lecturer, book publisher and also a sports, fashion, and documentary photographer! I had the privilege to have had proximity to his magnanimous spirit, sharing his talent and celebrity with those just starting out. Ever the collaborative artist who shared and promoted those just coming up, he lent his voice and talent to work with many young artists and photographers who he graciously gave the spotlight to. He constantly introduced me to fellow artists, his friends who would become clients and friends too, and we all have stayed friends, bound by the irrepressible spirit of Baron’s embrace of the love, peace and happiness he documented so thoroughly. And he didn’t just talk about helping people, I personally know of hundreds of people and organizations who were beneficiaries of his generosity. He attributed his success in life to saying “yes” anytime he was asked, and didn’t change that answer when his help was sought on behalf of a worthy person or cause either!
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David Michael Kennedy, Baron Wolman, Tony Bonanno, El Rito, NM, October 2018 by Tom Gramegna©
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I believe the essence and power of photography lies in its humanity. It's the humanity of the person or events depicted and also very much the humanity of the person behind the camera. In my many years of dealing with Baron in the placement of hundreds of his photographs in homes, collections and museums all over the world, the power of his humanity, endless creativity and the generosity of his spirit overrides all other thoughts of the wonderful man who was Baron Wolman.
-Tom Gramegna, Director, Gallery 270
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Baron Wolman, Santa Fe, NM, October 2018 by Tom Gramegna©
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