NSFW: Photo LA 2012: The Work of Tricia Lawless Murray: Looking in corners with cobwebs!

[Asher Kelman]

Tricia Lawless Murray resides there, at the ignored edges. She turns her camera to herself, an admitted sex-junky, who identifies with the forlorn parts of our society and the decay. Unlike the so famous Diane Arbus, (see current exhibit in Paris at the Jeu de Paume , 1, Place de la Concorde, Paris), often described as the "photographer of freaks", Murray is part of the tragic world she documents. So I find it non-exploitative. Whereas I've seen a person collapse in nausea at the Diane Arbus Paris show, Murray's work does not evoke such reactions. There's a respect and a sadness we have that a woman is embedded in a fringe narcissistic celebration of her sexuality and shortcomings, lines scars, bruises and all.

Murray is presented at Photo LA 2012 by the Jancar Gallery, LA. The pictures displayed are raw and at first hard to enjoy but much easier to respect for their sincerity. I show these, because such pictures are likely to be missed. Beauty is harder to find here! They show a photographer who looks at one subject intensely. That is a great learning point. She knows her universe as well as anyone can know anything.

I've chosen these pictures from her website in order to being to you not only her work but a feeling of her person and intensity.

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 9

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 10

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 16

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 18

I hope this set of pictures provides light where we'd rather not look, yet allow us to reflect on our own work and deficiencies. This is not casual work not for the feint of heart. I'd love your feedback!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

Tricia Lawless Murray: 08_work_dogdays_06.jpg

Tricia Lawless Murray: 08_work_dogdays_11.jpg

Tricia Lawless Murray: 08_work_dogdays_13.jpg

Tricia Lawless Murray: 08_work_loanstack_03.jpg

Tricia Lawless Murray: 08_work_loanstack_19.jpg

As you can see, Murray is painfully open but looks out with understanding and empathy. By contrast, Arbus, another photographer of the tragic, in her final work became exploitative. That's always a razor's edge in dealing with tragic loss of potential.

Asher

[Mark Hampton]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

Tricia Lawless Murray resides there, at the ignored edges. She turns her camera to herself, an admitted sex-junky, who identifies with the forlorn parts of our society and the decay. Unlike the so famous Diane Arbus, (see current exhibit in Paris at the Jeu de Paume , 1, Place de la Concorde, Paris), often described as the "photographer of freaks", Murray is part of the tragic world she documents. So I find it non-exploitative. Whereas I've seen a person collapse in nausea at the Diane Arbus Paris show, Murray's work does not evoke such reactions. There's a respect and a sadness we have that a woman is embedded in a fringe narcissistic celebration of her sexuality and shortcomings, lines scars, bruises and all.

Murray is presented at Photo LA 2012 by the Jancar Gallery, LA. The pictures displayed are raw and at first hard to enjoy but much easier to respect for their sincerity. I show these, because such pictures are likely to be missed. Beauty is harder to find here! They show a photographer who looks at one subject intensely. That is a great learning point. She knows her universe as well as anyone can know anything.

I've chosen these pictures from her website in order to being to you not only her work but a feeling of her person and intensity.

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 9

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 10

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 16

Tricia Lawless Murray: Palmas Series 2009 no. 18

I hope this set of pictures provides light where we'd rather not look, yet allow us to reflect on our own work and deficiencies. This is not casual work not for the feint of heart. I'd love your feedback!

Asher

Asher - thaks for posting this - I realy enjoyed the work. Any more ?

cheers

[Cem_Usakligil]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

...Unlike the so famous Diane Arbus, (see current exhibit in Paris at the Jeu de Paume , 1, Place de la Concorde, Paris), often described as the "photographer of freaks", Murray is part of the tragic world she documents. So I find it non-exploitative. Whereas I've seen a person collapse in nausea at the Diane Arbus Paris show, Murray's work does not evoke such reactions. There's a respect and a sadness we have that a woman is embedded in a fringe narcissistic celebration of her sexuality and shortcomings, lines scars, bruises and all.
...

Hi Asher,

The Arbus exhibition was very impressive indeed, I am glad that we've had the chance to visit it together.

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Cem_Usakligil

Hi Asher,

The Arbus exhibition was very impressive indeed, I am glad that we've had the chance to visit it together.

Cem,

Yes, it was especially thrilling to be able to share Paris together. I'm looking forward to more "OPF meets" like that. Even the rain didn't dampen Paris for us!

As for Diane Arbus' work, early on I was happier. I wonder how she developed mentally. I was unable to viscerally stand her later work. I felt less embarrassed that someone else was far worse off than I was. I guess we're used to seeing such a lot of splendid beauty in art, all the way back to the earliest times.

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

My apologies for not recognizing that this thread should be NSFW. Mea Culpe! I've been to countless museums in the past 2 weeks and lost my NSFW bearings for the real world!

Asher

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Mark Hampton

Asher - thaks for posting this - I realy enjoyed the work. Any more ?

cheers

Mark,

I really wonder about intense artists who seem to damage themselves. I was very troubled even as I respect her efforts. It's as if passion is swirling at great speed in the bottom of an emptying sink.

Asher

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

As you can see, Murray is painfully open but looks out with understanding and empathy. By contrast, Arbus, another photographer of the tragic, in her final work became exploitative.

I have not seen Arbus' latest works, but I think that a discussion about exploitation maybe useful at some point in a separate thread. And before I comment on Murray's work, let me ask for clarification. My understanding is that she presents herself as a submissive sex object in her pictures. Is that correct?

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

I have not seen Arbus' latest works, but I think that a discussion about exploitation maybe useful at some point in a separate thread. And before I comment on Murray's work, let me ask for clarification. My understanding is that she presents herself as a submissive sex object in her pictures. Is that correct?

Jerome,

I have to get more information on her but it does seem that way. There are pictures, which I did not share which show large bruises on her buttocks. I'm not sure how they were inflicted. For some, pain tells them they are alive. I am pretty ignorant in this area and I'll try to find out more.

Asher

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

I have to get more information on her but it does seem that way.

Then we may not agree on what is "exploitation". I have seen the pictures with the bruises. Her web site is here (and obviously NSFW).

[Asher Kelman]

Of course, Jerome, I do not know, as yet, enough of Murray. However, I've not seen any work where she exploits others. She may show herself, but is cognisant of that.

With Diane Arbus, she follows August Sandler in dressing up her subjects respectfully, and photographing them exceptionally well. But then they are assembled together as "items" and it becomes a "freak show" as in a circus or traveling fairground. This is the sad part. If there was a photo essay of one person in their world where one has empathy, I'd react differently.

I'd value your own point of view.

Asher

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

However, I've not seen any work where she exploits others.

In my opinion, there is something as self-exploitation. On the other hand, in Diane Arbus pictures, I see a desire to let the "freaks" express themselves and exist as part of humanity. Do you want to live in a world where all "freaks", monsters, destitute, trash, ugly would never be portrayed? Even if only "out of respect"? The line is indeed fine.

But the art market is often squarely planted on the other side of that line, and especially in photography. If someone wants to get famous in that market, the best course of action appears to document someone dying, preferably one of our friends, more preferably in a long and painful struggle, most preferably from aids. The icing on the cake is when the photographer is the person the subject caught it from, I suppose.

Yes, I am somewhat sarcastic. Sorry.

[Mark Hampton]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

Mark,

I really wonder about intense artists who seem to damage themselves. I was very troubled even as I respect her efforts. It's as if passion is swirling at great speed in the bottom of an emptying sink.

Asher

Asher - I guess i look at the work as an extension to performance art - is it real ? Are the documents laid out before us telling us of situations that happened or just situations that happen.

They are all constructed - by someone who clearly understands the medium. I like the story i make as it unfolds.

that is my own view