Customer Reviews

Bill Henson, Mnemosyne: Photographic Works 1974-2004

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A catalogue of the anthologic exhibition of the acclaimed yet controversial Australian photographer Bill Henson. Henson is a master of light, or rather darkness, and he works with 2 specific genres: portraiture and landscape. He is present in the most important museum collections in the world.

Also by the same artist:

Bill Henson: Lux et Nox

Haven't seen a Bill Hensen photograph? Then you haven't been to the right places. Bill's imagery is a breathtaking expression of Human Art; his startling use of light and shadow is incredibly original. I'm absolutely sure that he is the next photographic discovery for fashion and editorial. In the realm if not ahead of photo-light masters like Paulo Reversi, Andreas Bitesnitch or Lindbergh, Bill's work is ethereal and transporting.

This particular volume collects all of Bill's work, which is a great study of how a world class artist comes to be. A must have art photo book. Really, this is essential art.

Most of this big book consists of 407 photographs in mainly untitled 1974-2004 sequences and series (S&S). About half the photos were in Henson's two 2005 solo exhibitions in Australia. Amazon's new 300-word limit does not allow discussion of all the S&S, so here are my observations on selected ones grouped by the emotions they may produce.

The sexual content of at least three black and white S&S may be disturbing. "Untitled sequence 1977" (pages 36-51) has photos of a young man masturbating. "Untitled sequence 1979" (68-99) has photos of a young boy, a crowd, and parts of a boy's body. "Untitled 1979/80" (176-191) shows photos of a nude boy.

Two series provoke a sense of mystery. "Untitled 1980/82" (135-175) contains B&W photos of people in a crowd looking worried. "Untitled 1977/87" photos (192-217) are highly manipulated (e.g., streaked, multiple-negative) B&W images.

"Disgust" was my reaction to "Untitled 1983/84" (243-281), B&W images of paintings in museums, baroque architecture, etc. juxtaposed with staged images of teenagers (some naked, dirty, "bleeding," and/or "dead").

I'm not sure what three color S&S mean. "Untitled 1985/86" (284-327) switches between young people and architecture. "Paris Opera Project 1990/91" (359-381) alternates pictures of "opera-goers" and the outdoors. Pages 403-435 have cut-and-taped 1992/93-1996/97 photocollages.

Finally, the awesome color photos of adolescents at night (446-493) are similar to Henson's 2002 book "Lux et Nox."

My only minor qualms about the book are: (1) The hardcovers should have been thicker and stiffer. (2) There are no "installation views." (3) The font size (for the commentaries interspersed among the photos and the interview of Henson) is small.

Mnemosyne represented memory in Greek mythology, and this book is certainly memorable. Use Amazon.com to buy it!