STATEMENT

I use the body and spirit, the "suit" of skin, its disposable delicate encasement as a vehicle to convey themes of impermanence, life and death. To see the passage of time with painterly vision, fleeting movement and the outcome left up to chance.

Because of my interest in skin and the body my choice of models has always been very personal. I worked with the same model, who was also a professional performer -- for seven years until his death in 2000. The intimacy that grew out of the prolonged photographer-model relationship allowed a type of photographic-performative moment that would not have been possible without this intensive working relationship. The work I did with him over this period became collaborative performance art for the camera.

In my latest work I am working with a new model that is taking on a persona I have created for him of a matador (complete with custom-made clothing). Skin and the body are still primary concerns and are now contextualized in the character of the bullfighter that my model and his ark shaped scars depict.

I see the ritual of the matador. His body and spirit facing death before the bull. We face death daily in front of the mirror. Each day it comes closer. Each day we learn to fight.

I liken the role of the matador and fight as a dance. To go with the flow in life. Dance with reality. Dancing as making a movement and decision in a situation in order to retain ones self. You move one way it moves the other and instead of a fight, dancing.