While Tübke's series of portraiture may appear deceptively simple, as stylish street passers are captured in contrast to deadpan Tuscan street scenes, the ethos behind the photographs are much more complex. Aiming to illustrate a modern take on iconic 20th century photographer August Sander, subjects are shown both in their native environment and style of dress thus illustrating their whole persona. Very intentionally, Tübke illustrates how not only the style of dress but the choice of stance and gaze embody the subjects own multifaceted public persona, thus giving way to an investigation on the relation between individual identity in the mass confusion of urban stereotypes.
While Tübke has both worked beside and has photographed renowned fashion photographer Scott Shurman of the Saratoralist, who, in fact, appears in one of the portraits in the exhibition, Tübke differs from the Saratoralist style of portraiture. According to gallery manager, Christabel Armsden, Tübke is “not interested in the latest trends but far more interested in the individualist,” a draw for holding this exhibit parallel to Fashion Week. Tübke’s work has been included in numerous museum exhibitions, including the Tate Museum of Modern Art in Britain; the Historisches Museum Frankfurt; and may be viewed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, La Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, and many more throughout Europe. All works presented in this exhibition are for sale, for enquiry please contact the gallery directly.
The James Hyman Gallery is located on 5 Saville Row, London.
