Untitled (Bedroom Rainbow), 2003-06, by Gareth McConnell
Today’s New York Times Magazine featured portraits of actors. But more interesting than the actors was the diversity of photographers used. Along with the regular editorial heavy-hitters (Dan Winters, Richard Burbridge) there were fine art photographers (Rineke Dijkstra, Katy Grannan, Andres Serrano) fashion photographers (David Sims, Robert Maxwell) and even a photojournalist (Paolo Pellegrin).
One of the standouts in the portfolio is a lesser-known photographer: Gareth McConnell. Check out his his fantastic work here.
Damn you, Soth!
I was going to post about that spread myself and there you go beating me to the punch. Now what is there to say but: Gee, I liked them too. (And Gareth doesn’t seem to have a gallery in NYC either, hmmm.)
Anyhow, Mr. Blogger King, aren’t you supposed to be out takin’ pictures or something?
Comment by Jen Bekman — February 12, 2007 @ 1:51 am
I was firing up a post about that spread, too, but you’ve got to be johnny-on-the-spot with posts these days to beat the crowd. Plus, I just watched “War Photographer” last night, the documentary about James Nachtwey, and I decided to steer clear from celeb photography for a while.
Comment by Todd W. — February 12, 2007 @ 3:55 am
Jen, can’t I have one quiet Sunday at home? Todd, what did you think of War Photographer?
Comment by Alec Soth — February 12, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Really nice to see Mr. McConnell getting some recognition over in the States!
Comment by Sherman — February 12, 2007 @ 7:42 am
yes definitely. gareth mcconnell is amazing. his photographs have a great depth to them and when you read about him as a person and his life you kind of understand why.
Comment by Owen — February 12, 2007 @ 9:11 am
this photograph is stunning!
Comment by davin — February 12, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Maybe just one. But you know, you’re so entertaining when you’re jet-setting.
Comment by Jen Bekman — February 12, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Also check out Philip-Lorca diCorcia and his portfolio in the new W magazine. Great things are happening with magazine photography, and can’t wait to see what Brian Ulrich comes up with for the upcoming NY Times Style magazine.
Comment by Aron Gent — February 12, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
nice to see an actual irish photographer getting some publicity, no i just need some.
Comment by colin loughlin — February 13, 2007 @ 12:49 am
While I realize opinions are highly subjective, Mr. McConnell’s portrait of Peter O’Toole fails miserably. Were it not captioned, I doubt anyone other than Mr. McConnel and Mr. O’Toole would know who it was.
Comment by Michael Morris — February 13, 2007 @ 6:54 am
I love that Ken Watanabe and Eddie Murphy are standing in front of Piss Christ backdrops. I wonder if they got the reference.
Comment by Annabel Clark — February 13, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
wow, really great stuff, thanks.
Comment by Dan Otranto — February 13, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Gareth McConnell has been a new favorite of mine ever since I stumbled upon his monograph in Ursus Books. He brings a unique personal perspective to his work that I think often does an excellent job of overwhelming some of the conventions of more recent fine art photography. I’ve been cheering on his pictures in the NYT mag for a minute now, but I have to say, I found his work in this Sunday’s to be emotionally flat, and a little too contrived.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the kid’s getting work (maybe there’s hope for the rest of us plowing our lives for meaninful pictures) but I found his fashion stuff a month or so back to be far more interesting.
I see the trademark serrano backround, and I turn the page now…it just tires me. Reineka Dijkstra on the other hand really suprised me with her picture of Cate Blanchett. Sensual, with a certain lingering Melancholy aftertaste.
Long story short though…I’m glad Gareth is getting some love over here.
Comment by Sam Logan — February 14, 2007 @ 10:45 am
his stuffs okay. was having a coffee with him today talking about the project he is doing now, sound like it might be fun. i prefered his northern ireland stuff myself.
Comment by john — April 25, 2007 @ 2:02 pm