Through The Lens: Featuring Roberto Dutesco’s Wild Horses of Sable Island

You are invited to join West Chelsea Contemporary Saturday, February 8th from 2-4pm during the opening reception of Through the Lens: Featuring Roberto Dutesco’s Wild Horses of Sable Island for an exclusive conversation with featured artist, photographer, and filmmaker Roberto Dutesco.

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Venture into realms of the bizarre, the fantastical, and the uncanny—where dreamlike landscapes and ink-splattered mythological visions meet magical bullfights and figures crowned in blooming florals.

West Chelsea Contemporary proudly presents Through the Lens: Featuring Roberto Dutesco’s Wild Horses of Sable Island, a landmark exhibition that brings Dutesco’s globally celebrated photographs to Texas for the first time. Joined by the works of renowned photographers Bob Gruen, Greg Davis, Raphael Mazzucco, Todd Murphy and Hunter Barnes, this collection highlights photography's significance in the art world and pays tribute to the groundbreaking visionaries who elevate the discipline. From the untamed majesty of Sable Island’s wild horses and the vibrant cultures of Oaxaca to iconic moments from decades past, this exhibition underscores the enduring power of photography to inspire, captivate, and transform. Showcasing artists hanging in the homes of notable collectors such as Elton John, Yoko Ono, Tommy Hilfiger, Yolanda Hadid, and Rihanna, Through the Lens stands as a testament to the prestige and cultural significance of fine art photography, inviting viewers to engage with a medium celebrated by the world’s most discerning collectors and institutions.

Roberto Dutesco is an internationally acclaimed artist, photographer, and filmmaker whose career spans over 35 years and 75 countries. Born in Romania and trained in Montreal, he gained early recognition photographing figures like Pierre Trudeau and the Dalai Lama before dedicating himself to capturing the untamed beauty of the Wild Horses of Sable Island. For over 30 years, Dutesco has documented the island’s 500 wild horses, blending art and conservation in works exhibited globally in the United States, Japan, France, Switzerland, Korea, and beyond. His nonprofit, IAMWILD.ORG, furthers his mission by supporting wildlife conservation and restoring ecosystems. Through his photographs, Dutesco invites viewers to experience the profound freedom and resilience of nature while inspiring action to preserve it.

Celebrated rock-and-roll photographer, Bob Gruen, has brought iconic moments from music history to life through his lens, capturing legends like John Lennon, Debbie Harry, Prince, and Tina Turner. Todd Murphy’s evocative work, collected by notable musicians John Mellencamp, Michael Stipe, Jon Bon Jovi, and Elton John, weaves powerful storytelling with rich symbology, blending cinematic compositions with themes of history, mythology, and the human condition. National Geographic contributing photographer Greg Davis, brings a vibrant and deeply human perspective to his work, documenting the richness of global cultures with unmatched authenticity. Hunter Barnes offers an unflinching glimpse into American subcultures with works housed in the permanent archives of museums across the United States. Raphael Mazzucco’s globally celebrated artwork, which has been featured in top fashion magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, pushes the boundaries of the photographic medium and offers rich visual narratives.

Through the Lens brings together a remarkable roster of artists whose works span decades, cultures, and genres, celebrating photography’s ability to illuminate history, amplify voices, and preserve the beauty of our shared human experience. Photography collectors will recognize the incredible talents while burgeoning collectors discover why photography is key to any personal collection. Through the Lens invites you to engage with the visionaries who have shaped photography into an enduring and vital art form.

Host or Publisher West Chelsea Contemporary