David LaChapelle takes Tel Aviv by storm
'I spent some time in Israel on a kibbutz when I was 19-years-old, and ever since then I have loved this country,' LaChapelle says.

By Haaretz Service

Renowned photographer David LaChapelle arrived in Israel on Saturday for his first ever art show at the Tel Aviv museum, naming it "the most important exhibition in my career."

"I spent some time in Israel on a kibbutz when I was 19-years-old, and ever since then I have loved this country [Israel]," LaChapelle said during a press conference in the museum on Monday.

"The family I was staying with at the kibbutz took me to the Tel Aviv museum, and I remember thinking to myself that it would be a dream come true to have my own exhibition in the museum, but I never thought my dream would come true," he said.
Until recently the American artist had been known mostly for his commercial work. His iconic pop style was synonymous with glamour and fashion, shooting stars such as Michael Jackson, Courtney Love, Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton and recently Lady Gaga for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

However, just over four and a half years ago he tired of the materialism in the commercial business and chose to leave everything and pursue a simple life on a farm.

"I didn’t know what I was going to do, I thought I was going to become a farmer," he told the eager reporters. "When a gallery asked me to return and exhibit I started working again in art, using the tools of communication I learned in the fashion industry."
Since then LaChapelle has only made art, and the extensive exhibition at Tel Aviv museum is, according to the artist, his mot important exhibition so far.