Susie Babchick | Photo Art Fair 2013
A native of Austin, Texas, the London-based photo agent Susie Babchick was instrumental in the success of Corinne Day’s career, and has worked with some of the world’s most talented image makers.
She is – alongside Simon Bainbridge, the editor of the British Journal of Photography; gallerist Gert Elfering; Metro Imaging MD Steve Macleod and Andrew Page of Positive View Foundation – on the selection committee of Photo Art Fair, the four-day exhibition in London – 3rd-6th May – showing and selling the work of 35 international photographers.
We asked Susie Babchick to choose some of her favourite images from the 2013 show, and tell us what drew her to them.
“I was never really too interested in landscape photography. That has really changed in the last few years. I had seen some stunning forest photographs by Japanese artist Yoshihiko Ueda which were of the Northwest coast of America. Now, I love it when I see a strangely moving outdoor scene. I saw this photograph at a large group show a few years back. It was the best photograph there and I bought it. There is something mystical and mythical looking about the landscape but really, it's truly geological. I love geysers as well. I've come accross a few geysers - first at Yellowstone and later in California. I haven't visited Iceland where this photograph was taken. I do hope to make it there. I searched for this artist, Toby Maudsley, for the Photo Art Fair. It took me a few weeks to find him. I believe he was out in the wilds making photographs.”
“Skinhead photographer Gavin Watson took this photograph back in the 1980s. Watson is completely self-taught and had been shooting since he was 14 years old. I was invited to meet him at his place outside of London to see his archive. I saw his first work from his early teens and he really did have something special - an innate gift for composition and 'the decisive moment'. There is so much to say about this photograph, but I don't think it's needed. Just look at it.”
“This is an outstanding photograph entitled ‘Tri-Colour/Closet’ by an artist named Zanna. This series is from a larger body of work that Zanna created with John Galliano in the midst of his creative directorship at Dior. She entered Galliano's world at home in Paris and some extraordinary environments in the French countryside six years ago. She sensed an artist often out of place, away from his home in London and surrounded by the French fashion establishment. Working in silence, Galliano revealed his interior world to Zanna, trusting that she would capture the magic of his creativity. Two other really important elements to this work are that Zanna uses traditional printing methods - colour carbon printing and dye transfer printing, which are both somewhat scarce techniques. This story in pictures is beautifully told and the quality of the printing processes is truly apparent when seen in person.”
“This work is from a series called ‘Film Stills Of The Mind’. Photographic artist Hugo Tillman spent three years in China with some of the country's most highly regarded contemporary artists. With each collaboration, an artist told Tillman about a dream and Tillman would interpret it visually by creating the scenario, featuring the artist and making a photograph. This artist is Wang Qing Song.”
“This photograph is from a series called 'Sisters' by Marlene Marino who is a New York-based artist. There is a nostalgic feel to it, and an authenticity in the setting. Marino talks about cutting a crooked line through a corporate world by standing for freedom and nonchalance. I like her stance and originality of thought. I am reminded of Larry Clark's work in many of Marino's images. Also, I think that Corinne Day is an influence and Day is really difficult to imitate. I like that Marino has found her own way of working and image making whilst tipping her hat to her favourite artists as well.”
“This work is by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton-Jones who are total innovators in image making and technology. At the same time, their work is like modern day painting. Their themes and compositions are always thought provoking and filled with strange, fascinating beauty. I find the stark minimalism in this image really appealing and there is also a slight fantasy element as well. There is certainly sexuality to it, but it has more subtlety than it appears at first glance. This work stems from a collaboration with James Lavelle/UNKLE for the album ‘Where Did The Night Fall.’ It is rare to see this level of expertise when music and visual art combine. It's so exciting when it is this good. I love the light and dark, the outlines and highlights.”