Artist 3: the Self-Portraiture of John Coplans

Artist 3- The Self-Portraiture of John Coplans

       Visually stunning, these self-portraits of the artist are playful, honest, and compelling images of the human figure rendered in extreme detail. These photographs are a select few from a huge body (no pun intended) of work concerning the artist's own aging form. The way the artist captures every wrinkle and hair on his body in such sharp focus intrigues me as I have similar interests in portraiture. In addition to the artist's honesty, I really enjoy the fact that the Coplans does not seem to take himself too seriously, his body language in some suggest he is rather enjoying himself. Additionally, I am compelled by the artist's apparent lack of face; the anonymous nature of the figure in these images lends it an "everyman" appeal that, in conjunction with the quality and aesthetic of the image, make them seem less voyeuristic and "erotic" that other nude photographs, especially in an age inundated with sexual images.

Frieze No. 6 1994 Silbergelatinepapier Albertina, Wien

 Frieze No. 2 (four panels) 1994 Silbergelatinepapier Albertina, Wien

Self-Portrait: Three Times 1987 photograph gelatin silver transfer print © Estate of John Coplans

I really like Coplans' way of mounting multiple prints together, and his multiple exposures/overlays (as in the above image), as they seem to imply motion in the subject (himself). I can assume that the multiple prints no doubt assist in producing a larger image without the loss of detail... but the above image is by far one of my favorites in this series.

Back with Arms Above 1984 gelatin silver transfer print © The John Coplans Trust

Fantastic use of the human body, and in the case of the above image, not always immediately identifiable as the human figure. Suggestive of the notion that, as we age, we sometimes may not recognize our outward appearance... So funny and poignant!

Interlocking Fingers No 6 1999 gelatin silver transfer print, Albertina, Wien

Self-Portrait (Hands Spread on Knees) 1985 gelatin silver transfer print © The John Coplans Trust