Ryan McGinley: 'A naked body in the landscape excites me'

Twenty years after his breakthrough with photographs of New York's nightlife, artist Ryan McGinley finds himself drawn back to the nocturnal city as the stage for his latest work. This return prompts a reflection on his past and artistic evolution.

McGinley, who at 25 became the youngest artist to have an exhibition at the prestigious New York Whitney Museum, explained that after his initial success, he felt a need to explore different artistic avenues. He likened his artistic journey to that of musicians like David Bowie, who reinvented their identity with each album.

This desire for reinvention led McGinley to embark on extensive road trips across the United States. Having grown up in New Jersey as the youngest of eight siblings with limited financial means for travel, he sought to discover and capture the diverse landscapes of his country. This period marked a significant departure from his earlier focus on the urban energy of New York.