Todd Darling

Background

About Todd Darling

Artist Todd R. Darling is from Passaic County, New Jersey. He currently resides in Hong Kong. In 2016, Darling returned to his native home to create his first body of work titled American Idyll. The brutal but honest black and white images that Darling made of Paterson, NJ depicts a city that exists in the margins of American society. Inspired by William Carlos Williams and Allen Ginsberg, natives of Paterson, his portrait of the city is a lyrical interrogation of the American Dream. It's an important chronicle of American life during profound change for the country. Idyll, a monograph of the project was published by Asia One in 2022. From 2014, widespread protests erupted in Hong Kong, Darling closely documented the Umbrella Movement (2014) and the Anti- extradition Law protests (2019). The striking images were made in the reportagé tradition but indicate an intense emotional engagement. The large body of work made during this period provide a powerful testament to the people and city who struggled during this pivotal time in its history. Since 2017, Todd has received numerous recognitions for his work including a Documentary Arts Fellowship, the British Journal of Photography breakthrough award, the 8th Annual PDN exposure award, the Rita K. Hillman Award of Excellence from ICP, and most recently his book Idyll received a silver medal from the Paris Photo Prize. His work on Paterson was also the subject of a PBS television special. Todd’s work on Paterson and Hong Kong has been published in the Guardian, Time, the British Journal of Photography, the Hong Kong Free Press, amongst many others and exhibited in Asia and Europe including at the Breda Photo Festival. In 2009 he founded a pioneering restaurant company, Red Sauce Hospitality. The company currently operates 5 restaurants and bars including some of Hong Kong’s most recognized names in hospitality; Frank’s, Frank's Records, Fini’s, and Posto Pubblico. Darling is credited with pioneering farm to table restaurants and premium casual dining in the city. He has received numerous awards including Restaurateur of the Year and Food Hero of Hong Kong. The restaurants are frequently recognized with Best Restaurant, Best Service, and Most Reliable distinctions. The company and its founder have been the subject of both local and major international publications for its pioneering farm to table initiatives and distinctive brand of hospitality. Those publications include the New York Times, South China Morning Post, CNN, Bloomberg, amongst many others.