Bold, bright and colorful pictures depicting sultry surrealism and hallucinogenic homages to Renaissance masters tell tales behind internationally renowned fine-art photographer David LaChapelle’s lens. 

The paradigmatic photographer’s work, spanning four decades, is on display in his premiere retrospective exhibition, “David LaChapelle: As the World Turns,” at the Orlando Museum of Art through Sunday, May 3.

LaChapelle explores intersections of art, nature, pop culture and spirituality in more than 150 iconic and impactful pieces in the display presented by the Stan & Naomi Loomis Foundation.

“It has been a wonderful experience and an honor to show my work at the Orlando Museum of Art,” said LaChapelle. “The pictures in the exhibition tell stories from different chapters in my life.”

“Clarity is very important to David LaChapelle, who has so much to say in his pictures,” explained Chief Curator Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon. “He wants viewers to appreciate his work while enjoying the visual feast.”

The exhibition’s kickoff weekend included an opening-night reception gala on Jan. 30 and an artist talk with LaChapelle on Jan. 31. The man of the hour got up close and personal with his photography, engaging with fans who attended the events.

LaChapelle was an artistic child and attended high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. While he was taking painting and photography courses, he developed an analog technique by hand painting his own negatives to achieve a vibrant spectrum of colors before processing his film.

Dancers at the school were his photography subjects because he appreciated how they moved their bodies, and hoofers continue to be his muses today.

LaChapelle moved to New York City when he was 17 years old and began displaying his photography at the 303 Gallery. After his first exhibit, Andy Warhol discovered and hired him to be a photographer at Interview Magazine.

He has photographed numerous celebrities, including Pamela Anderson, Mariah Carey, Doja Cat, Cher, Hillary Clinton, Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Tupac Shakur, Britney Spears, Ice Spice, Megan Thee Stallion, Serena Williams, Amy Winehouse and Charli XCX.

LaChapelle was also one of the first photographers to champion body positivity in contemporary photography by featuring plus-sized, genderfluid and senior models in his pictures.

Behind the scenes, LaChapelle and his team meticulously plan and build elaborate sets based on sketches and collages to bring his art to life.

LaChapelle wants the visitors who attend his exhibition to be captivated by his narrative photography. 

“The ultimate way for an artist to share their work and tell their story with the world is to have it shown in a museum,” said LaChapelle. “I hope the pictures in my exhibit will touch and stay with viewers. You’re going to be the most intimate with an artist, whether they’re a pop star, writer or visual artist, by spending time with their work because it was created for you.”

The exhibition is for ages 18 and older and will include a life drawing workshop with models, Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, and a Vogue-inspired fashion photography workshop with commercial and editorial photographer Michael Giragosian, Saturday, March 21, from noon to 3 p.m.