ArtCenter College of Design Names Renowned Photographer Matthew Rolston as 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

ArtCenter College of Design announced on December 19, that Matthew Rolston, the influential photographer whose career began with a commission from Andy Warhol, will receive its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The acclaimed alumnus, whose photographs have graced more than 100 Rolling Stone covers, will be honored at the College’s Alumni Awards ceremony in September 2025.

Rolston’s remarkable trajectory began while still a student at ArtCenter College of Design, when Warhol selected him to photograph Steven Spielberg for Interview magazine, launching his ascent in fashion photography.

His work, characterized by unconventional lighting techniques and dramatic mise en scène, has appeared in leading publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar, shaping contemporary concepts of glamour.

“Matthew is an extraordinary individual and a rare talent whose expertise spans a remarkable breadth of disciplines,” said Karen Hofmann, President of ArtCenter College of Design, about Rolston. “He possesses a unique ability to weave complex knowledge into creative solutions, translating intricate ideas into visually and intellectually compelling narratives.”

The photographer’s artistic influence extends beyond magazine covers to include music video direction for artists like Madonna, Janet Jackson and Beyoncé Knowles, alongside significant fine art exhibitions.

Rolston has stated his purpose with artmaking is to “pose questions about the things that make us most human.”

His works are now held in permanent collections at prestigious institutions including the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the National Portrait Gallery at The Smithsonian.

Rolston, who received an honorary doctorate from ArtCenter College of Design in 2006, established the Matthew Rolston Scholarship for Film and Creative Direction at the institution in 1998.

He continues to serve as a mentor and lecturer about modern communication techniques, from fashion aesthetics to social impact messaging, while maintaining his professional practice.

During the pandemic, Rolston produced, wrote and directed videos honoring ArtCenter College of Design’s 2021 Alumni Award winners, with a former student later directing the next installment.

He joins previous recipients including Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, and artist Doug Aitken in receiving the College’s highest recognition for lifetime achievement.

Founded in 1930 in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across various design disciplines and holds United Nations Non-Governmental Organization status.