She found strangeness in ordinary people, and actively sought out others on society’s fringes – circus freaks, mental patients, transvestites and nudists – framing them with her camera in a gaze that has been interpreted as dispassionate, cruel and unforgiving.
In today’s Guardian Sean O’Hagan dedicates his column on photography to Arbus.
Diane Arbus killed herself, aged 48, on 26 July 1971. On the 40th anniversary of her death, it’s worth reconsidering her artistic legacy. Her work remains problematic for many viewers because she transgressed the traditional boundaries of portraiture, making pictures of circus and sideshow “freaks”, many of whom she formed lasting friendships with.
I studied the work of Diane Arbus whilst at uni and I have to say I haven’t really looked at her work much since I left. I thought I’d take time to have another look through some of her works and share with you my favorite pieces.
Identical Twins, Roselle, New Jersey, 1967
A Family on the Lawn One Sunday in Westchester, N.Y 1968
Looking back at this image “A family on the lawn one Sunday” and it says a lot more to me than it did when I was 19.
Woman at Counter, NYC 1962
