Hellen Van Meene

One of my favorite photos by photographer Hellen Van Meene. I studied a lot of her work in college, but I haven’t revisited them in awhile. I’m falling in love all over again with her use of colors, poses, and the picture plane. There something more poignant and appropriate about her subjects’ expressions and physical state then when they are similarly adopted by fashion models. This photo also reminds me a little bit of the Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair that we recently saw at the MOMA. In both pieces, hair becomes symbolic and animated, taking on a life of its own. One standing for conflict and stuck between two worlds, another signaling freedom? Kind of makes me want to paint split ends again. :) NY update coming soon!