What does a sex worker look like? One gallery exhibition is showing that there is no definitive answer – and breaking down any stereotypes you may be holding on to in the process.
This June, New York’s Daniel Cooney Fine Art Gallery will host ‘Scarlett Muse’, a collection of photos exploring photographers’ ongoing love for capturing images of sex workers.
Daniel Cooney told metro.co.uk that he was inspired to curate the exhibition after having two separate shows at his gallery exploring the theme, one by Scot Sothern and the second by Benjamin Fredrickson.
‘Scot’s images are of 1980’s Los Angeles street walkers in black and white,’ explains Daniel. ‘The work is very gritty, dirty and authentic and even though Scot isn’t in the images they are very much about him and his relationship with the women he photographs.
1. From a series by Auguste Belloc, 1873-1949
‘Benjamin’s work started when he was a sex worker in Minneapolis. He was photographing himself with his clients and eventually the work progressed into something different.
‘Those shows gave me reason to think about the rich and diverse subtext in photographs of prostitution. From there I started thinking about the role of prostitution in the history of photography which goes back to day one.
‘It’s so layered and complex that I started working on a book project on the subject and the exhibition is one more step in accomplishing that.’
2. Nude with White Leggings and Finger to Mouth, by Bruno-Auguste Braquehais, 1850s
Daniel tells us that he wants visitors to leave the exhibition with a feeling of ‘acceptance, love and inspiration.’
‘Throughout history artists have been inspired by sex workers and it’s very beautiful, it’s the classic story of the artist and muse.
‘I love that something seemingly so salacious and indecent can inspire meaningful artwork.’
3. Storyville, New Orleans, by E.J. Bellocq, 1912
4. From a series by Leon Levinstein, 1910-1988
5. From a series by Leon Levinstein, 1910-1988
6. Rue Asselin, Eugen Atget, 1925
7. La fille de Joie au Billard Russe, Brassai, 1933
8. By Christer Stromholm, 1960s
9. Cobra and Caprice, Christer Stromholm, 1961
10. Sabrina, by Christer Stromholm, 1960s
11. Gerald Oglesby, by Bob Mizer, 1970s
12. By Bob Mizer, 1970s
13. Richie in a Ramones T-Shirt, by Danny Fields, 1970s
14. Hustlers, Hollywood, by Anthony Friedkin, 1971
15. Hustlers, Hollywood, by Anthony Friedkin, 1971
16. By George Awde, 1980
17. From ‘Precious’, by Jane Hilton, 2010
18. Untitled, by Chris Arnade, 2011
19. Untitled, by Chris Arnade, 2011
‘Scarlet Muse’ is open to visitors from June 9th to July 22nd at the Daniel Cooney Fine Art Gallery in New York City.
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