“X” BY CHARLES MORIARTY
This superbly finished photography book from photographer Moriarty takes us on a very personal journey into his work from the last 10 years. We see gay men through his eyes, some of them looking back at us, others very used to being looked at, but all captured by this unblinking gaze which reduces and distils them all to still intimate images.
Opening with a Dylan Thomas poem there is an ethereal, detached feeling to this book, and it features a diverse selection of men, but each unique in their own way. The images are presented fresh, unadorned asking us to present our own ideas of the underlaying narratives at play here, but they are all clearly Queer, superb images of the male form and some startlingly honest portraits. His work is precise, detailed and careful.
Moriarty photographed the iconic cover for the Amy Winehouse’s debut album Frank and works across the entertainment industry and is part of the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery. His work reflects that high production values, gritty subject which is so perfectly coalesced here in this book. It’s a hefty tome, 200 pages of 60+ very sexy men and through the variation of captures, some intended, others with a feeling of secret moments, clandestine verses candid, there is also a feeling of the creator captured in this collection, the carefully curated choice sharing his own progression and acceptance of his Queerness.
Gary Needham has the last word with an essay which explores connections to other modern queer art photographers such as Goldin and Mapplethorpe, and this book would be the perfect addition to a collectors coffee table or someone who enjoys skilfully captured, iconic, high quality photography of the male form.
Out now £40 Hardback
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