Customer Reviews

Ed Templeton: Deformer

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Since the summer of 2006 I have been anticipating the arrival of Ed Templeton's newest book: Deformer. Several cover changes later, the dead pigeon head was nice, and preorder limbo from Amazon, the book finally arrived at my home. After correctly breaking in the spine of the book I was ready to indulge my image-driven senses. Deformer, from the first page to the last, did not disappoint. Templeton's stream-of-consciousness photobook is the perfect talisman for anyone wishing to view youth and beauty, chaos and destruction. This autobiographical record of Ed, and Deanna, captures many moments of distinct reflection between the photographer and the observed. Not only are fleeting moments of agony and ecstasy captured, but also ones of youth and lust. Deformer offers viewers many unseen photographs and documents about Templeton's life. Throughout the book are hand written or typed letters from his grandparents that were sent to Ed to remind him of how valuable time is and what it takes to become a young man with a purpose in life. This book is a testament to the time and hard work Templeton has put into his social-documentation, skateboarding career, paintings, journals and other various forms of artwork. Deformer offers viewers a window on a world not seen by many, and a world that has been overlooked by most. Alleged Press and Damiani pieced together an incredible book and I look forward to another one focusing on Templeton's paintings.

I bought this for my boyfriend as a gift for his birthday. He is the one who skateboards, I am the one who seeks out art but we both meet in the middle when things like this come along as we appreciate the aesthetic of each subject. This book has less writing and doodles than his others and it truly makes the pages come alive for one's own interpretation. I love it, he loves it. You will, too.