Photographer's Book Shows Beauty of Art and Artist

Candace Braun

Acclaimed photographer Ricardo Barros is currently displaying his photographs in the second floor Reference Gallery at the Princeton Public Library. On Monday, Mr. Barros gave a talk on his works, and on his recently published book, Facing Sculpture: A Portfolio of Portraits, Sculpture, and Related Ideas.

The library's exhibit of Mr. Barros's work is the first in a new series of collaborative contemporary art exhibitions in partnership with the Arts Council of Princeton.

"We're very fortunate to have Ricardo be part of our first exhibit in the Reference Gallery," said Leslie Burger, director of the library, adding that Mr. Barros had been involved in the process of selecting and commissioning artwork for the library's new facility.

Facing Sculpture, which was published last year by Mr. Barros's own publishing company, Image Spring Press, received the "Best of 2004" Philly Gold Award. The Philly Gold design competition identifies the Philadelphia region's finest creative work.

The book features more than 60 interpretive portraits taken over a seven-year period, some of which are now on display at the library. The idea for the book began when Mr. Barros was commissioned by Grounds for Sculpture to photograph some sculptors with their works. One of the first sessions was with Isaac Witkin, who, after posing with his work indoors, was coaxed outside by Mr. Barros for what he felt was a photographic opportunity.

Another photo session was with Magdalena Abakanowicz.

"I liken her to a rock star in the art world," said Mr. Barros, as he showed the audience the black and white photograph in which he captured her likeness just as the wind was blowing through her hair and her head was tilted up toward the sky.

The Next Level

After his third commission, Grounds for Sculpture asked Mr. Barros if he would like to hold an exhibit of his work the following year.

"It was quite a feat because I had a show but only three photographs," he told his library audience.

It was then that he realized he needed a theme for his show, which later became his book, where he observes various sculptors, discovers what their work is about, and photographs them in a way that portrays the artist's character.

While Mr. Barros had numerous artist friends he could have photographed, he instead chose to photograph strangers by contacting gallery curators and asking them to set him up with sculptors from various exhibits.

"Each of the portrait sessions was about studying the artists and finding which [photograph] showed their personality," he said, adding that in most cases he was given four hours to photograph the artist. Some would give him less time than he wanted, while others would let him stay on and watch as they worked.

In one photograph, Mr. Barros features Jamaican-born sculptor Autin Wright, with his cast aluminum sculptured titled, "The Sleep," which shows the facial progression of the eyes and mouth as one moves towards sleep.

Just as Mr. Wright's sculpture emphasizes the eyes, Mr. Barros wanted to emphasize the sculptor's eyes, which he does through a black and white photograph highlighting the white of his eyes, with a blurred view of his sculpture behind him.

Another artist he photographed in 1999 was Martha Posner, who creates three-dimensional art based on fairy tales. Mr. Barros said he went to her home in Pennsylvania and did an entire photo shoot, after which Ms. Posner offered to show him some of her watercolor paintings.

"They were like nothing I had ever seen before," said Mr. Barros, describing the way the paint seemed to pour down the palette.

When he asked her how she had created the pieces, she told him she had taken her completed paintings and put them under the faucet. Asked why, she told him: "I wasn't afraid to risk losing the painting on the chance that I could make it better."

Inspired by the courage behind this notion, Mr. Barros decided to return to Ms. Posner's home for another photo shoot, in which he captured her in a way that appeared to blend her torso with one of her watercolor paintings, which he felt truly described the artist behind the work.

Mr. Barros has been the principal photographer at Grounds for Sculpture since 1992, and his photographs regularly appear in Sculpture Magazine. His studio is located in Morrisville, Pa.

His exhibit will be on display at the library through October 30. Framed prints of the artist's work are available through Marsha Child Contemporary in Princeton. For more information on Mr. Barros, or to sign up for one of his digital photography classes to be held this fall, visit www.ricardobarros.com.