Richard Avedon's American West Portraits: A Rare London Exhibition
An extraordinary collection of rare prints from Richard Avedon's celebrated series In the American West is currently on display in London. The exhibition, titled Richard Avedon: Facing West, presents works that have not been publicly shown since their debut in 1985. Curated by his granddaughter, Caroline Avedon, this showcase offers a profound glimpse into the heart of working-class America through Avedon's distinctive lens.
Iconic Portraits from the American Frontier
The exhibition features a selection of powerful images that capture the essence of hardscrabble life across 21 US states. Among the highlights are portraits such as:
- Petra Alvarado, a factory worker from El Paso, Texas, photographed on her birthday in 1982, posing with money gifted by loved ones.
- James Kimberlin, a drifter from Hobbs, New Mexico, whose confrontational gaze challenges viewers with unsettling directness.
- Charlene Van Tighem, a physical therapist from Augusta, Montana, whose image was originally displayed at monumental scale on a museum façade.
These photographs represent a significant departure from Avedon's earlier fashion and celebrity work, delving deep into the lives of ordinary Americans.
Curatorial Insights and Historical Context
Caroline Avedon provides unique perspectives on the series, noting how certain subjects, like Freida Kleinsasser, a 13-year-old from a Hutterite colony, were omitted from the original 1985 exhibition without clear explanation. She reflects on the emotional depth of images such as Roger Tims, a coal miner whose tear during the sitting revealed a poignant moment of vulnerability.
The exhibition also includes thought-provoking pairings, such as the portrait of Joe Dobosz, a uranium miner, alongside an unidentified migrant worker. This juxtaposition highlights themes of visibility versus erasure, underscoring the precarious nature of undocumented labour in America.
Avedon's Artistic Process and Legacy
Richard Avedon spent five years, from 1979 to 1984, conducting over 1,000 sittings to produce 126 editioned images. The London show features 21 of these works, including rare diptychs like that of Richard Wheatcroft, a rancher photographed in 1981 and 1983, showcasing subtle shifts in posture and expression over time.
Avedon's approach often captured moments when subjects' masks slipped, as seen in the portrait of Carol Crittendon, a bartender from Butte, Montana, who appears exhausted and distant. In his own words, Avedon believed that to be seen is to be heard, and this series powerfully embodies that exchange between subject and viewer.
Exhibition Details and Significance
Richard Avedon: Facing West is hosted at Gagosian Grosvenor Hill in London and runs until 14 March. This exhibition not only revives a pivotal body of work but also reaffirms Avedon's legacy as a photographer who gave voice to the often-overlooked individuals of the American West. Through these portraits, visitors can engage with stories of resilience, identity, and the human condition, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts and historians alike.
