Ralph Gibson's career-long passion for the printed page culminates in his amazing life story
Self-Exposure is the autobiography of celebrated American art photographer Ralph Gibson. With his 80th birthday on the horizon in January 2019 and a career spanning over 50 years, Gibson is at a point of reflection in his life and work and decided to put pen to paper. Writing in candid prose, Gibson takes the reader through his life and career from his earliest memories of growing up in California (the son of a Hollywood director, Gibson's childhood is touched by the old glamour of the silver screen: the likes of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth make appearances) to his time in the Navy and his continuous love affair with photography. Gibson's memories are filled with rich characters and period details. Often moving, the narratives of his at times troublesome childhood provide a rich background to the charismatic artist Gibson has become. Gibson covers a range of topics such as music, Catholicism, his wife Mary Jane and a long line of fellow artists and photographers such as Dorothea Lange and Robert Frank. His ruminations on his life so far display a deep, thoughtful understanding and self-awareness that make this book a fascinating read in itself as well as an illuminating companion to his work. What emerges is an insight into the mind of an incredible, highly decorated artist. Evocatively illustrated, Self-Exposure presents Gibson's life story alongside his photographic work. Designed and produced in close collaboration with Gibson, this large-format publication—as much a biography as it is an artist's book—is Gibson's most personal book to date. Ralph Gibson was born in Los Angeles in 1939. In 1956 he enlisted in the navy, where he began studying photography. His work is widely exhibited and held in public collections around the world, such as the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He lives and works in New York.
Featured image, from The Vertical Horizon (1980), is reproduced from 'Ralph Gibson: Self-Exposure.'
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"Since my earliest figure studies in 1960," photographer Ralph Gibson writes in his new memoir, Ralph Gibson: Self-Exposure, "the female body has enabled me to examine photographic ideas: surrealism, minimalism, eroticism, amongst others. There are infinite possibilities with the nude. I often compare photographing them to practicing scales on a guitar…" Featured image is from the Infanta series (2015).
For information about tonight's book launch and signing, featuring a conversation with Laurie Anderson, visit The Strand. continue to blog
Tuesday, November 20 from 7–8PM, the Strand Book Store presents photographer Ralph Gibson discussing his new memoir, Self-Exposure, with artist, composer, musician and director Laurie Anderson. continue to blog
FORMAT: Pbk, 9 x 13 in. / 372 pgs / 285 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $49.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $67.5 ISBN: 9781912122103 PUBLISHER: Heni Publishing AVAILABLE: 11/20/2018 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA ONLY
Ralph Gibson: Self-Exposure An Unauthorized Autobiography
Published by Heni Publishing.
Ralph Gibson's career-long passion for the printed page culminates in his amazing life story
Self-Exposure is the autobiography of celebrated American art photographer Ralph Gibson. With his 80th birthday on the horizon in January 2019 and a career spanning over 50 years, Gibson is at a point of reflection in his life and work and decided to put pen to paper.
Writing in candid prose, Gibson takes the reader through his life and career from his earliest memories of growing up in California (the son of a Hollywood director, Gibson's childhood is touched by the old glamour of the silver screen: the likes of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth make appearances) to his time in the Navy and his continuous love affair with photography.
Gibson's memories are filled with rich characters and period details. Often moving, the narratives of his at times troublesome childhood provide a rich background to the charismatic artist Gibson has become. Gibson covers a range of topics such as music, Catholicism, his wife Mary Jane and a long line of fellow artists and photographers such as Dorothea Lange and Robert Frank. His ruminations on his life so far display a deep, thoughtful understanding and self-awareness that make this book a fascinating read in itself as well as an illuminating companion to his work. What emerges is an insight into the mind of an incredible, highly decorated artist.
Evocatively illustrated, Self-Exposure presents Gibson's life story alongside his photographic work. Designed and produced in close collaboration with Gibson, this large-format publication—as much a biography as it is an artist's book—is Gibson's most personal book to date.
Ralph Gibson was born in Los Angeles in 1939. In 1956 he enlisted in the navy, where he began studying photography. His work is widely exhibited and held in public collections around the world, such as the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. He lives and works in New York.
