These joyously wonderful photos reveal the colourful world of Marilyn Monroe and her fans

Six decades after the passing of Marilyn Monroe, photographer Amy Gaskin has embarked on a six-year global project capturing the lives of those who find hope, comfort and connection in her story. Gaskin visited Monroe's crypt at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where she noticed wet lipstick kisses on the marble. These kisses, amidst the pandemic's "keep two metres apart" instruction, intrigued Gaskin and led her to photograph fans across the world.

Gaskin's project, titled "Marilyn Forever! Marilyn Monroe – A Symbol of Hope", is not a rehash of Monroe's mythologies but a focus on the devoted fans who find personal connections to her story. The book is a colourful 168-page exploration of the ordinary people from different countries who admire Monroe and relate to her vulnerability, openness, and refusal to accept limitations.

Through her photographs, Gaskin captures ordinary people who share their stories, whether it's the resilience, vulnerability, or the refusal to conform to societal expectations. Some fans connect through shared experiences like cancer or Mexican heritage. The book delves into the cultural icon's influence on her admirers, weaving it into personal narratives and exploring the peculiar workings of celebrity.

Gaskin's project, beyond Marilyn's iconic blonde hair and tragic beauty, provides a deeper understanding of what happens when an image endures so successfully that generations who never met the subject can still feel personally connected. The book is a tribute to the enduring power of Marilyn Monroe's legacy and the profound impact she continues to have on people's lives.