Image above: © Jock Sturges, Fanny, Montalivet, France, 1996 / Courtesy of Jock Sturges and Bernarducci Meisel Gallery.
On view at Bernarducci Meisel Gallery is the solo exhibition of Jock Sturges, exhibiting large-format color photographs from his new book, Fanny, published by Steidl in both English and French. The photographs in this book provide an extended portrait of Fanny. As we turn the pages of this book we follow her through life. On the cover, we are greeted with her solemnly looking out over the ocean with her hands crossed behind her back and her shoulder blades protruding. She explained to Jock that she thought of her shoulder blades as her wings, which she hoped her mother would see as she looked down on her from heaven. Fanny’s mother passed away tragically just weeks before the photograph was taken. The verdant emotion overcoming this child’s innocence is overwhelming at times. In conjunction with this exhibition, Louis K. Meisel Gallery will present a retrospective exhibition for the photographer.
Images above: © Jock Sturges Left- Fanny, Montalivet, France, 2012, Right- Fanny, Montalivet, France, 2002 / Courtesy of Jock Sturges and Bernarducci Meisel Gallery.
A naturist since birth, Fanny grew up in a tightly knit community on the western shores of France in Montalivet. There it really did take a village to raise a child...and raise her they did. She has grown into a beautiful strong woman. Jock’s final photographs of Fanny show her pregnant. The last photograph in the book shows the grace and intelligence Fanny has acquired over the years. She has now blossomed into a strong woman. She will embark on a new journey as she graces her child with the wisdom she acquired.
Image above: During the opening at Bernarducci Meisel Gallery. © Alexandra Bendek
The quintessential core of Sturges photographs is the relationship; the relationship between the models and nature, and most importantly the relationship that the models have with themselves and with the artist. Captivatingly honest, these works are touchstones to the trials and tribulations of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Evocative of a striking tranquility, these portraits are extremely challenging in the sense that they compel the viewer to reevaluate their own self- consciousness.
Image above: Portrait of the artist during the opening at Bernarducci Meisel Gallery. © Alexandra Bendek
Jock Sturges received his B.F.A. in perceptual psychology and photography from Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont and his M.F.A. in Photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. He has exhibited worldwide since 1976. His photographs are included in numerous public and private collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
