Bill Phelps - 1999

The Robin Rice Gallery announces a solo exhibition of photography by Bill Phelps. The opening reception will be held on Thursday May 6, 1999, from 5:30 to 8:30. The show will run through June 27, 1999.

In his latest series of photographs, Phelps creates staged scenes that resemble film stills. He pairs models with pieces of machinery, motorcycles and found objects in industrial settings. Conscious of costume with dramatic lighting the photographs are surprisingly elegant and surreal. Phelps explores the mystical quality of machines how they relate to its human partner as a means of transport to another world

The invitational image “Gear #2”, a nude holding a large gear portrays the female form as statuesque and strong, making maximum use of shadows, and stylistically nodding to an era gone by. In another image “1952 Vincent Black shadow” is Phelps interpretation of a 1948 photograph featuring Roland Free on the motorcycle he rode to set the land speed record. Phelps’ model lays on a vintage motorcycle as if poised for flight, in an empty field in front of two tall grain elevators.

Using a wooden field camera, Phelps shoots with 8” x 10” Polaroid, mixing black and white with color film to create tonal disparities; the lighter areas look slightly mottled while the darker take on a metallic quality. Large format Polaroid allows Phelps to create what he calls “slim passageway of focus” surrounded by industrial open spaces.

Phelps was introduced to photography while a High School student in St. Paul, MN. and opened his first photography studio in Minneapolis at the age of 21. His passion for motorcycles is evident in this series of photographs, which feature vintage European bikes from a collection Phelps has been building for over 15 years. He has lived in Chicago, Madrid, Sydney, Paris and currently New York. As a commercial photographer some of his photographs have appeared in, GQ, Interview, The New York Times Magazine French Marie Claire and Italian Vogue.

He has shown in two group shows at The Robin Rice Gallery. This is his first solo show.