Interview transcript
Maureen Bray: It’s not just a portrait of an individual artist, but really a portrait of New York during this period of time. At this fair we have chosen to show a selection of Robert Mapplethorpe’s portraits of artist. These are the greatest artist of New York art world from 1976-88.
Robert Rauschenberg’s portrait – Robert’s right hand is in a very unusual striking moment which in a relatively static picture suggests a lot of movement. Just these tiny little moments, the way that hand is placed, the gesture of the hands, speak volumes about the individual. And then as well, of course, the Louise Bourgeois photograph, her hand there prominently in the front. There is a warm-hearted portrait of Willem De Kooning. You see that he had a great connection to the people who sat for the photographs.
The true gift that Robert had – he knew just the right moment when to click the shutter to catch that moment in the action.
Images for this interview were provided courtesy of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation and Sean Kelly Gallery and are used with permission. © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Watch more interviews from The Armory Show and the ADAA: The Art Show.
Isamu Noguchi, 1986 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Louise Nevelson, 1986 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Francesco Clemente,1985 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Brice Marden, 1986 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Pictures / Self Portrait, 1977 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Pictures / Self Portrait, 1977 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Robert Rauschenberg, 1983 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Roy Lichtenstein, 1985 © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
