Rodney Smith, Three men with shears no. 1, Reims, France, 1997.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer.
The Franz Mayer Museum is home to some of the most talked about exhibits in Mexico City. With a mission to safeguard the history of creative and decorative arts through world-class exhibitions, the work of visionary fashion photographer Rodney Smith feels right at home there. Next month, the first-ever retrospective on Smith in Mexico will open at this museum.
“Over a 45-year career, Smith created iconic, instantly recognizable images—from photographing celebrities like Cyndi Lauper to producing major campaigns for the New York City Ballet, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Ralph Lauren,” writes the Rodney Smith Estate. “Influenced by W. Eugene Smith, taught by Walker Evans, and committed to Ansel Adams’ technical precision, Smith evolved from photo-essayist to portraitist to fashion photographer, known for a style that merges technical mastery with surreal beauty.”
Part of a series of international retrospectives and tributes, which also feature a new monograph book, the exhibit honors the legacy of Smith 10 years after his passing. Titled Rodney Smith: SURREAL, the show is curated by French visual artist Anne Morin.
The exhibit focuses on the photographer’s evocative black-and-white images, celebrated for its elegant compositions that play around with surrealism through a uniquely whimsical approach. Opening on October 29, the organizers are looking forward to a creative exchange between the Day of the Dead celebrations taking place that week, and Smith’s work, which explores death (among other things) through a playful lens.
“Rodney Smith’s work, with its dreamlike narratives, impeccable composition, and timeless elegance, finds its perfect home in Mexico City during this season when reality and magic intertwine,” shares his estate. “His photographs, which so often explore themes of transformation and wonder, will resonate beautifully in a city preparing to honor the delicate boundary between life and death, memory and imagination.”
Rodney Smith: SURREAL will be on view from October 29, 2025 through March 15, 2026 at the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City. To stay up to date with this exhibit, follow Franz Mayer Museum on Instagram.
Next month, the first-ever retrospective on fashion photographer Rodney Smith in Mexico will open at the Franz Mayer Museum.
Rodney Smith, Caroline Running through Doorway, Monkton, Maryland.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer
Part of a series of international retrospectives and tributes, the exhibit honors the legacy of Smith 10 years after his passing.
Rodney Smith, Don jumping over hay roll no. 1, Monkton, Maryland.
The exhibit focuses on the photographer’s evocative black-and-white images, celebrated for its elegant compositions and whimsical approach.
Rodney Smith, Viktoria under Lampshade, Rhinebeck, New York.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer.
Opening on October 29, the organizers are looking forward to a creative exchange between the Day of the Dead celebrations taking place that week.
Rodney Smith, Leaning House, Alberta, Canada.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer.
“Rodney Smith’s work, with its dreamlike narratives, impeccable composition, and timeless elegance, finds its perfect home in Mexico City during this season when reality and magic intertwine.”
Rodney Smith, Reed Leaping Over Rooftop, New York, New York.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer.
“His photographs, which so often explore themes of transformation and wonder, will resonate beautifully in a city preparing to honor the delicate boundary between life and death, memory and imagination.”
Rodney Smith, Gary descending stairs, Parc de Sceaux.
Courtesy of Rodney Smith Estate, on view at Museo Franz Mayer.
Exhibition Information:
Rodney Smith
SURREAL
October 29–March 15
Franz Mayer Museum
Av. Hidalgo 45, Historical Center of Mexico City, Mexico
Museo Franz Mayer: Website | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alexandra Fanning Press.
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