Went and checked out the Marilyn Monroe: Life As a Legend show at the Winnipeg Art Gallery today. The exhibition includes over 175 paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures from artists like Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Richard Lindner as well as photographs by Richard Avedon and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The show features the original nude photographs taken by Tom Kelley that essentially launched Playboy and Hugh Hefner into super stardom. Marilyn found herself struggling in the late forties and agreed to pose nude for Kelley for $50. Kelley in turn sold the photos to Hugh Hefner for $500. These photos became the very first centerfold and playmate shots. Sadly for Monroe she did not see any of the money. The show runs from March 28 to June 7.