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'Curiosity' I guess you could say that this is the true inspiration behind this. Only two photos on this board show the mo...
Robert Maplehthorpe
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First, A little about the man himself:
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| Self Portrait- Robert Maplethorpe 1980. |
American artist Robert Mapplethorpe pushed the boundaries of photography in both his subject choice and technique. This has led to him often being remembered exclusively for his controversial and often explicit images.
However, ARTIST ROOMS outstanding collection of his photographs allows these ‘controversial’ works to be considered in the context of his entire oeuvre. Mapplethorpe became famous, not to say, notorious, in the 1970s and 1980s for his photographs of the male nude and sexually explicit gay imagery. With these images he tested the right to individual freedom - they were not meant to be titillating, shocking or obscene, but beautiful in a traditionally classical way. His work therefore holds a significant place in the history of artistic struggle to depict the world as it is with honesty and truth.
In 1988 Mapplethorpe stated: “I don’t like that particular word ‘shocking.’ I’m looking for the unexpected. I’m looking for things I’ve never seen before...I was in a position to take those pictures. I felt an obligation to do them.” Although he is perhaps most associated with these ‘shocking’ works, Mapplethorpe also photographed more traditional subjects such as flowers (in particular Orchids and Calla Lilies), formal portraits and classical nudes. His understanding of form and light, and his meticulous compositions create truly beautiful images that revel in the sensual quality of nature and the human body. (Anon. N.D) Taken from : http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/robert-mapplethorpe-11413
When you look at his collection of work, it's really hard to not mistake it for him once you know his style. He is able to capture a beautiful sensuality within his portraits. He is very famous for his heavily homoerotic photographs, The Black Black created a lot of controversy because it his depiction of gay black men. Unlike Name, he has a softness to his photos. I think Maplethorn creates his contrast by the set, the model and the mood of the photo.
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| Deborah Harry, 1978 |
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| Andy Warhol, 1986 |
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| Thomas, 1987 |
This composition is really interesting. It makes me think of a modern interpretation Atlas, the person who had to hold up the world. Again, the contrast is as bold as Name's but there isn't the striking overexposure. Instead there's a softer feel to his photos. They are very sensual.
For my next black and white shoot I am going to be looking into Maplethorpe more closely to learn how he lit his shoots. I love his work.
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