Opening this weekend at QF Gallery is Nan Goldin: “Wish You Were Here,” eleven color photographs from the 1980’s to the present.
Opening this weekend at QF Gallery is Nan Goldin: “Wish You Were Here,” eleven color photographs from the 1980’s to the present. These photos capture the artist’s time at her home in Sag Harbor and her summers abroad.
Goldin came to prominence in the 70’s first with her photographs documenting the gay and trans community of Boston. She went on to study photography at the Museum School in Boston and was part of a vanguard of artist who shot intimate documentary style photos of urban sub-cultures. Between ’79 – ’86 after moving to New York City, Nan set to work on a body of work which became known as The Ballad of Sexual Dependency. This portraits brought her both acclaim and controversy for the street and drug culture critics claimed that they glamorized.
No doubt Goldin has influenced generations of photographers for her gritty unflinching, yet vulnerable portrayals of fleeting youth. Her style, part punk, part grunge and what used to be called “heroin chic,” Goldin’s influence can be seen in the likes the Ryan McGinly set, as well as many queer photographers such as Cass Bird.
In the works presented at QF this week a softer more serene portaryal of her subjects is seen. Couples in the thralls of affection or mothers captured enjoying sunbathes with children, essentially a view of the easy days of summer on the beach.
photo. Valerie floating in the sea, Mayreaux Island, 2002
Nan Goldin splits her times between Paris, Berlin, and New York. Recently, her Scopophilia exhibition was part of Patrice Chéreau’s special 2011 program at the Louvre. In 2006 Goldin was admitted to the French Legion of Honor and received the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in 2007. Most recently, she was awarded the 2012 Edward MacDowell medal.
“Wish You Were Here,” is curated by Carrie Mackin, who has has produced projects for the most innovative artists of her day including Mickalene Thomas, Wangechi Mutu, E.V. Day, Hank Willis Thomas and Josephine Meckseper among others.
Nan Goldin
Wish You Were Here
Curated by Carrie Mackin
August 3 – 18, 2013
opening Aug. 3, 6–8 pm
QF Gallery
98 Newtown Lane | East Hampton, NY
