Arielle Bobb-Willis: Keep the Kid Alive
My lifelong love for photography has sometimes left me feeling jaded, searching for something new or different. Decades ago, my early education focused on Western art history, primarily centred around white male artists. As time passed, I sought broader perspectives.
A pivotal moment came in 2005 when I discovered the work of Japanese photographer Araki at the Barbican in London. This sparked a deeper interest in non-Western photography, leading me to explore the works of Hiroshi Sugimoto, Daido Moriyama, Zhang Kechun, and Pieter Hugo." At least not western based but still remaining in the white male camp.
But a few years ago, I discovered Arielle Bobb-Willis, a US-based fashion photographer, in Aperture's groundbreaking book The New Black Vanguard. Her work, a vibrant fusion of colour, quirky styling, and dynamic poses reminiscent of contemporary dance, immediately captivated me. It felt fresh, authentic, and infused with a unique cultural perspective. If comparisons are your thing her work feels like a fusion of Viviane Sassen (Netherlands) and Synchro Dogs (Ukraine).
Bobb-Willis's upcoming monograph, Keep the Kid Alive, is a must-have for any follower of fashion photography. The title serves as a powerful reminder to stay curious, creative, and true to oneself."
(c) Arielle Bobb-Willis
(c) Arielle Bobb-Willis
(c) Arielle Bobb-Willis
(c) Arielle Bobb-Willis
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