Throughout history, the nude has transitioned from a figure of anatomical intrigue to a token of beauty, and even a political tool. From Weston to Mapplethorpe and into the present day, Joseph Glover unravels the then and now of the photographic nude
Be it the year just gone, or the last century, it is by reflecting on the past that we can begin to make sense of our present.
History is said to be our greatest teacher. Photography’s own is divisive and complex, but through understanding the framework, we can learn.
In this Collection, we explore the work of photographers who have done just that, also drawing on the extraordinary events of the last year and beyond to build new and compelling narratives.
The contributors of Then & Now ruminate upon themes of memory, heritage, identity, religion and conflict among others, from both a personal and shared perspective. There is no looking to the past without considering the archive, which image-makers here celebrate both through reference, and by giving it a new life in contemporary, creative contexts.