Jeff Wall

Insomnia, 1994, Transparency in lightbox, Cinematographic photograph 

Jeff Wall has been credited to have introduced the world of photography to the contemporary Art field from the early 80s.  His work appears to be documentary photography when in reality it is usually set up through actors, props, sets and thought out lighting giving him the role of director as there would be for film making. This approach is successful as it signifies the theme of tableau photography of displaying a narrative within the photograph. He also covers urban environments in his work and these themes are often presented in a size and manor a nineteenth century painting would be.

His image ‘Insomnia’ shows a set replicated to look like Jeff Wall’s kitchen in his studio. The composition is reminiscent to a renaissance painting as the angles and positioning represents the narrative.  The composition and tight clumsy positioning of the furniture suggests the man’s state of discomfort and physiological condition as well as showing signs of the characters previous interaction with the set.  

 Wall’s signature is images printed on transparencies over light boxes, it apparently was inspired by back-lit advertisements which echo his style of directing his images as are advertisements directed.  I like how his images suggest a situation and the circumstances that led it to be are based on the audience’s imagination.