Friday 1 March 2013

Review of Bettina Rheims: Gender Studies at Hamiltons


02/03/13
Bettina Rheims: Gender Studies
Hamiltons
26 January – 1 March 2013

“Being an artist means trying to figure out who you are through your work; drawing closer to what you are and what you don’t want to be.”

With this statement in mind, it is perhaps easy to see how artist and photographer, Bettina Rheims (born 1952), feels able to relate to the subjects of her recent project, Gender Studies, currently on show at Hamiltons Gallery, Mayfair. Reprising a project she undertook early on in her photographic career (she was previously a model, journalist, and gallery owner), Rheims put out a call on facebook for anyone who “felt different”, was transgender, wishing to remain gender neutral or adopt a dual identity, to get in touch. Following on from skype conversations with the many respondents, she then invited the chosen 27 candidates, from around the world, to her studio, where, in collaboration with designer Jean Colonna, she produced a series of wistful, striking and revealing images.






Image:
Bettina Rheims
Andy B., Paris, June, 2011
Edition 2 of 5
© the artist

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