During Unseen Amsterdam 2023 ARTITLEDcontemporary will present solo exhibitions of the series “Midnight Modern” by Tom Blachford (Australia) and the series “The Palms” by Dean West (USA).
Tom Blachford
Working at the intersection of long exposure photography and exploration of the built environment, Tom Blachford’s fine art photographs seek to transform predictable and known environments into surreal and dreamlike worlds.
Obsessed with capturing the moments of clarity, colour and mystery that exist just beyond the limits of our human perception, Blachford explores the ability for his camera to bridge our worlds to dark worlds beyond our reach.
Captivated by architecture, not only for its sculptural forms, Blachford’s images of homes, towns and suburbs act as the the stage for unwritten narratives that implore the viewer to script their own drama happening behind the walls of each scene.
Using only existing light sources – the full moon (Midnight Modern), the neon lights of Tokyo (Nihon Noir) or the harsh street lights of LA (Noct Angeles), Blachford hunts for the overlooked cinematic moments in the everyday and works to distil them with a sense of mystery, unease and wonder.
Tom’s work has been featured widely in architectural, art and design press around the world and has been exhibited and collected by art lovers across Australia, Europe and the USA.
The monograph of Midnight Modern series was released in 2017 by New York publisher powerHouse with a second edition in 2020 and both editions have completely sold out.
The launch of the 6th series of “Midnight Modern” marks a decade of Tom Blachford and his pilgrimage from Australia to the deserts of Palm Springs to chase the light of the full moon.
The new series sees iconic pairings such as the re-union of the iconic Meyers Manx buggy driven by Steve McQueen in the Thomas crown affair and McQueens own Palm Springs home which have not been seen together since 1973.
The series continues his quest to create cinematic magic combining moonlight, architecture, mountains and cars into a timeless tableau that exists in the past, present and future simultaneously.
Dean West
A wide range of environments and character types are explored in the works of Florida-based Dean West.
The Australian-born artist who studied at the Queensland College of Art, is best known for his intricate and highly staged photographs that take everyday occurrences beyond the realm of natural reality.
Extraordinary in their tonal range, digital clarity, and artistic vision, West’s meticulously choreographed scenes, character studies, and atmospheric landscapes powerfully yet synthetically link needs to desires and documentation to invention.
Passionately dedicated to the vast possibilities of digital photography as both a medium and a cultural epoch, West’s narratives draw inspiration from the total diversity offered by the visual arts.
Dean West
While the tableau photography of Stan Douglas and Jeff Wall inform West’s understanding of photography as a form of contemporary communication, the paintings of David Hockney and Edward Hopper provide evident aesthetic direction.
The fictional world of cinema and the functional language of advertising have also clearly left their mark and taught lessons of their own.
International brands have embraced West’s vision through partnerships and important clients such as Disney, MTV, Bombay Sapphire, and Fox Sports.
Recognized as one of Saatchi & Saatchi’s ‘Top 100 Emerging Photographers’, West has also been honored with ‘Advertising Photographer of the Year’ at the International Loupe Awards and the prestigious ‘Arte Laguna Prize’ in Venice, Italy.
The Palms
The Palms project is a collection of images and films by Dean West.
Originating in Florida, the works contain local character portrayals, landscapes, tableaux constructions, portraits and short films.
Pools and Palms and architecture are familiar motifs within his photographs.
The Palms series is a deeper dive into the many aspects of Florida’s culture and daily life.