17.3.11

Sally Mann

Sally Mann's photography popped up on my radar this week.  I think I like her work. I say, think, because there is something slightly unsettling about her photographs, an element of seduction which is slightly unnerving.  But perhaps this is why I also like her photographs - they draw you in and make you pause and think.

Born in 1951 in the US, Mann's first job as a photographer was at Washington and Lee University.  She produced several collections in the 1980s and 90s, but her most well-known and celebrated was her third, Immediate Family. The 65 black and white photographs, all of her children playing at their summer cabin explore typical summer themes - dressing-up, board games, skinny dipping - but always with a slight bent (in my opinion) toward sedition. Not surprisingly Immediate Family stirred up quite a bit of public debate about photography and the portrayal of children in fine art.  Ultimately the critics deemed her work "good" and in 2001 Time magazine named her "Best American Photographer" of the year.

What do you think?

12 comments:

Kristina said...

True, her pictures are really on the edge, especially when you look at the first one. But overall, I really like her pictures and the look! Great find Clare!
Hope you are doing great!! xox

Tara said...

I do really like them. I couldn't agree with you more on the unsettling thing, but I think it draws me in more to them. I wonder "what her story is" type thing.

great find!

Claire said...

i really like them! x

Lisa Gordon said...

I absolutely love Sally Mann's work. The first image here is a very popular one of hers, and one of my absolute favorites. Thank you for sharing Clare!

Jamie said...

My initial thoughts were not positive (I hated seeing a kid with a cigarette) but once I got past that I feel a bit in love.

k said...

I love them. Very raw and grainy and moody.

Renee said...

Don't like the combination child - cigarette, but I love the moody feeling you get when you take a look at these photos.

J.J. said...

I am a huge fan, very inspirational. In other words, all my photography is wildly derivative.

Jen said...

she is awesome, thanks for the link up to that website, love it!

Justine said...

Sally Mann is my favourite photographer, I went to see her exhibition a few months ago at the photographer's gallery here in London. I keep one of her photographs on my fridge to remind me what great photography is all about.

Li + Belle said...

I like the photographs of Sally Mann. I like it because b / w photographs express a great deal. Sometimes I find the photos but also a little disturbing.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting pictures indeed!