Jim Dean 1993

Nancy Andrews made "Jim Dean" a black and white photograph, but there is no date given for when it was made. Nancy gives us a full length portrait of her subject set in an elaborate interior, with a highly patterned floor. The textures in this photograph range from the silky sheen of the suit, to the velvety shadows of the hall behind Jim. The high contrast between the black suit and the white shirt makes him the focal point. There’s a kind of performative element to portraiture, but Jim's face doesn't give anything away. He is buttoned up and closed off. The repetition of the geometric shapes in the floor tiles and on the wall behind him echo Jim's formal attire, creating an atmosphere of constructed perfection. I can't help but think of the highly stylized portraits of Thomas Ruff. I think Nancy is interested in similar questions, how identity is constructed and performed through an image. The longer you look, the more questions you have.