World-renowned shutterbug Nigel Barker steps onto the Chicago scene with a splashy new role at 21c Museum Hotel.
He’s built an impressive career upon a 17-season run as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, hosting alongside Naomi Campbell on Oxygen Network’s modeling competition series The Face and creating TV shows The Shot and Top Photographer. Now, Nigel Barker is adding creative consultant and ambassador of 21c Museum Hotel Chicago to his résumé. “21c Chicago is a museum hotel that literally brings the art to you, stimulating and inspiring your mind and surrounding you with art of the highest caliber by world-renowned artists,” Barker says. “I have historically spent more than half my time in hotel rooms all around the world traveling for both business and pleasure, and have always wanted to really elevate the experience past just a place to recharge for another day.”
Barker entered the role just as the museum launched current exhibition Pop Stars! Popular Culture and Contemporary Art—the first of many exciting endeavors to come from the creative. “I believe you can create art in almost every field,” Barker says. “Working extensively in the fashion and design worlds, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with fashion designers, hairstylists, makeup artists, set designers, chefs [and] furniture designers who are all incredible artists in their own mediums, often helping shape the way we see beauty and react to new ideas. I am planning on creating an exciting series of programming where we highlight, experience and learn from artists in all fields of life, so everyone can discover the artist that lies inside of every one of us.” 55 E. Ontario St.