Unveiling the Essence of Black Excellence: Idris Elba and Angela Bassett Grace Pirelli Calendar 2024
Experience an extraordinary celebration of Black brilliance in the much-awaited 2024 Pirelli Calendar Esteemed figures from film, sports, and royalty come together in a groundbreaking edition, captured by Ghanaian Prince Gyasi, the first Black photographer to helm this iconic project
The 50th edition of the iconic Pirelli calendar has made its debut, showcasing its usual flair and featuring some new and exciting talents.
Having been promoted for months, this edition showcases a lineup of Black talent, including actors, sports stars, and royalty. The project was led by 28-year-old Ghanaian Prince Gyasi, who made history as the first Black and first African photographer to shoot the calendar.
Idris Elba, Angela Bassett, and Pirelli regular Naomi Campbell headline the bold and colorful departure of the once-risqué calendar, with the notable inclusion of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, king of Ghana's Asante people.
Gyasi, one of the youngest photographers to be selected by Pirelli, confessed in a recent interview with CNN that he still feels like a child at heart. This playfulness is evident in his photography.
Elba is marooned on a raft encircled by luggage; ex-French soccer player Marcel Desailly is poised to jump from the starting blocks clad in a vintage reporter's radio; poet Amanda Gorman and writer Margot Lee Shetterly are prepping for a talk on influence. While some of them may appear solemn, the photographers' compositions are anything but.
However, Gyasi maintained that he is completely focused on set. "I am an artist who is clear about my vision from the start. I don't go into a shoot thinking 'oh, we'll just wing it,'" he stated.
"My sets, stages, and costumes are meticulously planned for months to ensure that the person I am shooting is presented in the best possible way. In my photos, all the people are characters, and when they step onto my set, they follow my direction."
Prince Gyasi. The Ghanaian photographer also included himself in this year's calendar.
Prince Gyasi
Starting his photography career on the streets of Accra at the age of 16 using only an iPhone, the Ghanaian has seen a rapid ascent in recent years. He has worked on campaigns for Puma and Balmain, and his photos have graced the pages of Vanity Fair and GQ. The theme of his Pirelli calendar, "Timeless," is evident in various literal and figurative ways, as expressed by Gyasi.
Interviewer: "How would you define timeless?"
Respondent: "Timeless is something that withstands the test of time and maintains its quality. It's creating something that, even 20 years from now, I still love and doesn't appear outdated, don't you think?"
His unique use of saturated block colors, inspired by the photographer's synaesthesia which associates words with colors, is prominently featured throughout the Pirelli calendar, from backgrounds to attire. Gyasi has expressed his desire for the audience to question whether they are viewing a painting or a photograph, maintaining an appropriately eerie atmosphere. "There's a thin line between surrealism and reality - and that bridge is Prince," he remarked.
- Supermodel Naomi Campbell is captured on camera backstage during the 2024 Pirelli calendar photoshoot, holding time in her hand. This marks the 50th edition of the renowned calendar, which is being photographed by Ghanaian Prince Gyasi, the first Black photographer to receive this prestigious commission. Browse the gallery to discover which celebrities are featured in this year's edition.
Idris Elba courageously faces the elements and receives approval during the midst of the shoot. With Ghanaian heritage from his mother's side, the actor has been selected for the "Timeless" calendar, set to be officially launched later this year. The calendar showcases iconic figures who epitomize the timeless theme.
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Gyasi is leading the direction of actor Angela Bassett for the 2024 Pirelli calendar. Recently honored with an honorary Oscar, Bassett is acknowledged by the photographer as a trailblazer in her career and a source of inspiration.
Poet Amanda Gorman (left) and writer Margot Lee Shetterly (right) on set. The shoot features bold block colors, a common theme of Gyasi's highly-saturated works.
Alessandro Scotti
Gyasi, with his back to the camera, intentionally composes his shots, capturing artist Amoako Boafo in the center. At 28 years old, the photographer experiences synesthesia, linking words with colors, a practice that has led him to match colors with the names of his models.
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Marcel Desailly, the former France international footballer (on the right), makes a powerful start in the photo shoot. Born in Accra, Ghana, Desailly is just one of several models with strong ties to West Africa.
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Behind-the-scenes, a photograph captures Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the Asante king of Ghana, during the Pirelli calendar photoshoot in Ghana. The calendar has previously been shot in Morocco, Tunisia, Botswana, and the Seychelles, but this marks the first time it has visited West Africa.
During the Pirelli calendar photoshoot, film director Jeymes Samuel undergoes an eye test and receives direction from Gyasi. Gyasi's journey in photography began at 16 years old in Accra, starting with an iPhone but eventually moving on to more advanced equipment.
Alessandro Scotti
American wordsmiths Margot Lee Shetterly (left) and Amanda Gorman (right) with photographer Prince Gyasi.
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Angela Bassett and Gyasi embrace in a behind-the-scenes shot.
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Gyasi poses for the camera on his own shoot. The set of images by Gyasi for the 2024 calendar will be released later this year.
Alessandro Scotti
Pirelli calendar 2024: Behind the scenes
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Despite being hailed as a poster boy for a new generation of photographers, Gyasi's commitment to the profession seems lukewarm. "I actually studied fine art and sculpture," he revealed to CNN. Coming from a family of musicians, including his late grandfather, Gyasi continues to draw inspiration from his musician friends to this day.
Gyasi said, "People often ask me why I chose to pick up a camera. I chose to do so because where I come from, it wasn't seen as a respectable tool. I wanted to change that perception." With his bold photography and unstoppable enthusiasm, Gyasi has made significant progress. Considering the calendar's theme of time, what advice would he give his younger self, holding an iPhone in Accra?
The photographer advised, "I would remind myself to practice patience and to take deep breaths. As an artist, it's easy to overthink, even when you're being patient. So, stay patient and have faith in yourself."
He also emphasized the importance of community in all endeavors, "Ensure that everything you do revolves around community. Being the first means making sure you're not the last."
