LAURIE SIMMONS – THE LOVE DOLL: DAYS 1 – 30
2011-06-27This will also be the artist’s first solo exhibition in London. Over the last 30 years Simmons has garnered a significant reputation internationally as one of the leading artists to emerge from the New York ‘Pictures Generation’ during the 1970’s and 80’s.
Laurie Simmons moved to New York in 1973, with her close friend and photographer Jimmy De Sana. The two artists converted an old sweatshop in Soho into their studio and living space. Together the pair set up Laurie’s first darkroom, and under De Sana’s tutelage, Simmons came to understand, with a far greater awareness, the intricacies of the camera and the complexities of production techniques. From 1975, Laurie began to photograph her dolls in these evocative nourish black-and-white scenarios. Whilst the resultant images were beautifully intricate alter-realities, the artist was amazed by their apparent realism – ‘I actually believed that the rooms I was shooting could be mistaken for real places’. Simmons was immediately struck by the camera’s propensity to lie – and indeed the role images constitute in our own construction as subjects – whether it be as sons, daughters, family members or citizens.
Opposite – The Love Doll / Day 27 / Day 1 (New in Box)
Exhibition runs through to July 10th, 2011
Wilkinson Gallery
50-58 Vyner Street
London
E2 9DQ
