On the way home from launching my Lisbon exhibition “The Power of Femininity”, I was inspired to stop at London’s Atlas Gallery (www.Atlasgallery.com) for a rare exhibition of photographs by the Lillian Bassman (1917-2012). I have studied her work from my photo books for years, this being my first opportunity to see prints live. The Atlas curation was both stunning and impactful; all 27 images.
A prelude to her show on Art Rabbit (artrabbit.com) said it best: “Bassman’s work was significant in emphasizing the power of elegance, mystery, and gesture in fashion. Her prints, developed in high contrast and carefully over-exposed, are abstract, luminous, soft yet captivatingly dramatic”
It took years for me to personally be comfortable with my own favorite images which, in pure technical views, might be considered flawed ( e.g., focus and exposure). I take solace in the fact that Bassman was obviously comfortable with this approach, with captivating results.
Leaving London with visions planted in my brain…
