Landmark exhibition features 700 photographs spanning four decades of music, street culture, fashion, and activism

The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) today announces Rebels + Icons: The Photography of Janette Beckman, an exhibition showcasing the most expansive collection of Beckman’s work assembled to date. On display from May 15, 2026 through September 8, 2027, the exhibition features 700 photographs spanning four decades including rare archival prints, contemporary collaborations, and newly unearthed images.

Rebels + Icons offers an unprecedented look at the visual storytelling that helped define global movements across music, fashion, activism, street culture and more. Visitors will experience the energetic figures and moments that reshaped contemporary culture, often before the world recognized their impact.

“This is not just a retrospective, it’s a living archive of cultural movements,” said Michele Y. Smith, CEO of MOPOP. “Janette Beckman captured the spirit of rebellion, creativity, and identity at pivotal moments in history and we are honored to bring this powerful body of work to Seattle.”

"I’ve always been attracted to "rebel" cultures,” said Janette Beckman. “My journey has taught me there are no roadmaps. Being an artist is about following your passion no matter what happens. Photography is a practice and I am still practicing."

The exhibition goes beyond photography, featuring immersive elements across film, interactive experiences, and live programming that bring audiences behind the lens. Visitors will gain deeper insight into Beckman’s process and the stories behind some of the most iconic images in fashion, youth and street culture, activism and music.

“We could not be more thrilled to showcase such an expansive exhibition of Janette’s work,” said Jacob McMurray, Chief Collections + Exhibitions Officer at MOPOP. “This exhibition spans decades, movements, and culture while revealing the profound impact of Janette’s photography.”

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• 700 photographs spanning four decades of work
• Rare and never-before-seen archival images
• A look behind Beckman’s lens showcasing key moments in activism and street culture
• Celebrity and creative portraits across hip hop, youth culture, punk and more
• Contemporary collaborations demonstrating Beckman’s ongoing influence
• Immersive installations, films, and interactive experiences

Rebels + Icons arrives at a culturally significant moment with the 50^th anniversary of punk in the UK. This exhibition offers a reflection on the origins and evolution of influential subcultures, while underscoring MOPOP’s role as a premier destination for socially resonant and culturally significant storytelling.

For tickets and more information, visit mopop.org.

ABOUT MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MOPOP)

MOPOP is a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary pop culture. With a mission to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities, MOPOP reaches multigenerational audiences through our collection, exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. At MOPOP, artists, audiences, and ideas converge in order to bring understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time.

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