The Larry Fink Reception in Bethlehem
Last night I was very privileged to accompany Stephen Perloff to the Larry Fink Reception at Santa Bannon’s new gallery in Bethlehem. Larry himself was in attendance, although rather like his camera, I got the distinct impression he would have preferred not to be noticed but rather sink into the background and make observations to be related later. I had never met Larry before, but have admired his work and its social commentary. This particular exhibition is of a work in progress called Family, and focuses on a wonderful unassuming family and their everyday life on the ‘just under 2 acres’ on which they organically breed and grow the majority of the food they eat.
Stacia is a wife, Mom, nurse and farmer. In Larry’s meticulous photographs the image we are presented with is of a very down to earth, ‘rough at the edges’ woman, totally comfortable with her overly Rubenesque, slightly grubby, well illustrated physique. We witness her, somewhat shockingly to some, beheading and preparing duck, geese and the ‘mean old cockerel’ that the family will in due course consume. The subject matter has actually caused great consternation with local activists. Some have even called the gallery with death threats. And yet all these pictures are of is this family living off the land; a process rendered totally alien to the vast majority of us who have become dependant on someone else breeding, slaughtering and packaging the meat we eat in such a way that it no longer bears any resemblance to the living creature it once was.
In person, the image of Stacia we are presented with is quite different. She is very well spoken and with very clear priorities in life that are formulated around giving her kids the most rounded, honest and earthly upbringing she and her husband Dennis are able to give them. Larger than life in every respect and a self confessed ‘middle class redneck,’ Stacia is also delightfully pretty and almost unnervingly alluring. She is one of those women who oozes personality and confidence, and is simply bursting at the seams to tell you all about her life. I can totally see why Larry has been to attracted her and her family.
To quote Larry: “for me they are love itself with all its rough edges…they have allowed my camera entry into their home as it sits at the table smiling at the open hearts and powerful bodies…from time to time it clicks simply a visual burp celebrating a potential miracle.”
The images are as powerful as the family. With his typical attention to tactile, textural and emotional detail, Larry’s black and white photographs depict a clarity, honesty and deep understanding of his subject matter. He told me rather amusingly prior to giving his speech that he had nothing to talk about. But he was quite wrong. He gave as great insight into his due process, both creative and technical. And then he gave us a wonderful glimpse behind the softly spoken man and treated us to a few splendid riffs on his harmonica!
Larry Fink’s ‘Work in Progress…The Family’ is at Santa Bannon Fine Art in Bethlehem through February 28th. Well worth the visit.
