The work of William Wegman is a wonderful example of art that doesn’t take itself too seriously – beautiful photographs with a sense of humour. Wegman is known for his portraits (and/or collaborations) with primarily his own Weimaraner dogs in various costumes and poses.
The Big Deal:
His images are instantly recognizable because of the narrow focus of his subject matter. Wegman has made a career out of photographing his own dogs. The work is successful in both fine-art and commercial contexts, from artist books referencing famed art history to children’s books counting down the days until Christmas. Wegman has received two Guggenheim fellowship and appeared on Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, and Saturday Night Live.
Life In Brief:
Born in Holyoak, Massachusetts in 1943. Receives a BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art and an MFA in painting from University of Illinois. Begins teaching in Wisconsin, and exhibiting his work internationally. In 1970 he gets his first dog, named Man Ray, and begins a twelve-year collaboration. Over the years new dogs join his troupe and Wegman’s photo and video works become internationally acclaimed. In 1990, “William Wegman: Paintings, Drawings, Photographs, Videotapes,” opens at the Kunstmuseum, Lucerne, and travels to venues across Europe and the United States including the Pompidou Center, Paris and The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Wegman lives in New York and Maine where he continues to make videos, take photographs and make drawings and paintings.
For More:
www.wegmanworld.com
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