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Photo book review: Sally Mann's "Proud Flesh"
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Sally Mann’s latest exhibit, at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City, is accompanied by the just-released monographic book , “Proud Flesh”. For followers of Mann’s work, this series of images is a natural and welcome progression in her body of work. Her earlier works look at the relationship between mother & daughters, life & death, artist & subject. This group of images, taken over a six year period, explores and shares with us the intimate relationship between husband & wife.
Using one’s spouse or lover as muse and subject is common throughout the history of art and photography, particularly when the subject is female. “Proud Flesh” is a step apart from that tradition, with a female artist and her unflinching, unapologetic observations of a nude male subject. There is a powerful accessibility in the subject’s honest vulnerability and openness with the photographer—the kind of relationship only years of trust, admiration, and deep love could foster.
Mann’s latest images show her great mastery as a photographer. Using a century-old photographic medium of ether and collodoin-coated glass plates developed in silver nitrate, her images are imperfect, streaked, pocked and scratched. Each image must be deliberately framed and posed to capture the intended image. The balance between careful, delicate composition and flawed finish create a beautiful tension in her images. Add the deeper meaning of the sinewy, sagging, aging and afflicted subject and the imperfections remind viewers of the heartbreaking ephemerality of man. Yet, despite such imperfections and mortality, the artist clearly has a deep admiration and profound love for her subject.
The photos of “Proud Flesh” work on two levels. There is a sort of private dialog between husband and wife, and an outward conversation between artwork and viewer. Neither is more important than the other, both equally valid and sacred. We are keenly aware of our (and the photographer's) voyeuristic role in viewing such trusting intimacy. Hopefully, people viewing Mann’s “Proud Flesh” photos feel honored to be briefly invited into this part of her life. We should all be so lucky to have such tender, trusting, open, supportive, loving relationships in our lives.
With the holidays around the corner, “Proud Flesh” would make an excellent, thoughtful gift for any photo collector, Art History buff, Sally Mann admirer, or for yourself. The book is a collection of 33 rich tritone images in a 12” x 14” clothbound cover, with an introduction poetically written by C. D. Wright. It can be purchased at the special price of $64 at: http://www.aperture.org/sally-mann-proud-flesh.html
Gagosian Gallery, representing Mann: http://www.gagosian.com/
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