'MAPPLETHORPE X7' BOOK: THE WORK OF PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE

This book documents the groundbreaking work of American artist and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe before his untimely death in 1989. Over a period of seven years, seven renowned contemporary artists; David Hockney, Vik Muniz, Catherine Opie, Sterling Ruby, Cindy Sherman, Hedi Slimane and Robert Wilson, reviewed Mapplethorpe’s entire body of work, choosing the most personally resonating and inspirational works to be featured.

The book Mapplethorpe X7 also includes exclusive interviews conducted by Richard Flood, noted curator of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. This compelling collection presents a unique perspective on Mapplethorpe stemming from his own personal relationships, covering his famous as well as many lesser known works.

Mapplethorpe’s creations range from a selection of portraits and party pictures for Interview Magazine to creating the album cover art for Patti Smith and the band Television. In the late 70s he became increasingly interested in documenting the New York  S & M scene then met Lisa Lyon, the first World Women’s Bodybuilding Champion, collaborating for several years on a series of portraits and figure studies including a film and the book, ‘Lady, Lisa Lyon‘. tthroughout the 80s his work expanded to include delicate flower still-lifes and stylised male and female nudes, working with new refined techniques and formats such as colour Polaroids, photogravures, platinum prints on paper and linen, and dye transfer colour prints.

By Lucy Mclean

The book is available now through teNeus publishers.

www.teneues.com