“Made-up”: A Photography Exhibition about Fashion Photography and Personal Identity

An exhibition of Photographs by Martin Edwards in collaboration with make-up artist Melissa Hartzel

Private View: Friday 3rd of July 2009 – 6 pm to 11 pm
Exhibition runs from: Friday 3rd to 9th of July 2009
Gallery Opening Hours: Fri, Sat, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs: 2.30 pm – 6.30 pm (Closed Sun)
Last day of Exhibition: Thurs 9th of July: 11.00am to 5.00pm

“Identity” a term most commonly understood to describe personal identity, or the idiosyncratic things that make a person unique. An important part of ‘identity’ is gender identity, as this dictates to a significant degree how an individual views him or herself both as a person.

The forthcoming show “Made-up” disrupts the fabric of convention of fashion photography and identity by literally blurring boundaries. Martin Edwards’ photographic works centre on form, colour and scale on one level, yet explore deeper feelings and issues of ‘self’. Melissa Hartzel is a London-based makeup artist whose work has featured in ‘Health and Fitness magazine’ and ‘Look Magazine’ and she has also worked on the Miss England competition.

Working in close collaboration with make-up artist Melissa Hartzel, the five installations that form “Made up” are evocative close-ups of lips, eyes, hands, the body and legs. But there is a catch. Although all the photographs appear to be close-ups of women, Martin worked with members of the transgender community and professional fashion male models that feature in the photographs.

“I wanted to explore the world of personal identity through abstract photography. This is an ideal medium for me to question and explore how we form images of ourselves, both within our own minds and for display to others,” , explained photographer Martin Edwards.

Yara Tschallener, curator of Red Gate Gallery comments on ‘Made-up:
“Martin wanted to challenge the conventions of fashion photography, to show that the photographs in the exhibition are quite literally “made-up” – in the sense that they are professionally created in a studio, with professional models, styling and make-up – but that the notions of gender implicit in the photograph are also created”

“Made-up” is the second exhibition of photographic works by Martin Edwards to be held at Red Gate Gallery. It follows his highly successful debut exhibition “Colours” (March 2009) and continues Edwards’ exploration of the properties of form, colour and scale in photography first shown in his inaugural “Colours” exhibition at the Red Gate Gallery.

Martin Edwards and Melissa Hartzel will be on hand to answer any questions about the photographs and their work at Red Gate Gallery on Friday 3rd July from 6pm to 11pm.
For further info: www.formcolourandscale.com/ – www.makeupbymelissa.co.uk/