Not In Your Face

In the series “Not In Your Face” the t-shirt is starkly evident but these photographs are not about the t-shirt per se. They are the stories of people who tell their own story. This is a typology of individuals who stand out in a crowd by their choice of the message on their back. On the streets these personalities create their own iconography that explore the cultural, political and social issues that have an impact on our everyday lives. In these photographs we witness a chronicle of subcultures and vernaculars which illustrate the The 21st Century global identity. These photographs demonstrate how these individuals wear a kind of badge of honor or trophy that says “I belong to this group not the other”. Each one of these people reveal a part of t themselves that advertises their hopes, ideals, likes, dislikes, political views,and personal mantras. By photographing from the back I attempt to explore the time- honored tradition of the portrait being of the face and test whether body type,dress and demeanor can tell us just as much as a facial expression might. When assembled in grids I aim to reveal both the similarities and differences of each peer group and explore their unique patterns and themes. I believe the power of each portrait’s meaning becomes apparent from the juxtaposition of many images. It is a universe of individuals but combined creates a picture of our time. We may feel we know more about these individuals then we really do. Their mystery is preserved and the power of photography can celebrate our urge to unravel it.

When George Harrison arrived in New York for the Beatles' historic visit he carried a Pentax Spotmatic as he descended the airplane steps. Susan Barnett, then 13 years old, soon bought the same camera and began photographing her everyday life. After a formal education in Art History and a 30-year career in New York galleries, Susan again picked up the camera - this time her fatherâ??s Leicaflex. Photography has allowed her to blend her love of strong graphics and color with her interest in the human experience. Susanâ??s work has been published in Popular Photography, LensCulture, PDN, Nerve.com and Lenscratch. Her work can be seen at Clampart Gallery, New York. The book "Not In Your Face" will be published by the Silas Finch Foundation, New York in 2011.