Dimensions: image: 341 x 341 mm
Copyright: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: Here we have Robert Mapplethorpe's photograph, "Smutty," a black and white portrait of a young man with striking tattoos. The image feels both vulnerable and defiant to me. What's your interpretation? Curator: Mapplethorpe's work often challenges conventional notions of beauty and masculinity. In the context of the AIDS crisis, his photographs of the male nude became powerful statements about sexuality, visibility, and the body as a site of both pleasure and vulnerability. This image, “Smutty," asks us to reflect on how societal anxieties around sexuality and gender intersect with artistic expression. Editor: So, it’s not just about aesthetics but also about challenging social norms? Curator: Precisely. Mapplethorpe used his art as a platform to question and subvert the status quo. The figure's tattoos, combined with his pose, create a narrative about identity, agency, and the male gaze. Editor: I never thought about it that way, that helps me see it with new eyes! Curator: Art is a powerful conversation, and a reflection of the times we are in.
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This black and white square-format portrait photograph features the English bass player Dennis Smith (nicknamed ‘Smutty’), a member of a Rockabilly band called Levi and the Rockats. Shirtless, he wears black trousers with a thin belt and is seated with his hands resting on his left leg. With his head facing to the left, he glances to his right, looking directly at the camera. He sports a version of the 1950s pompadour-style haircut, with a high quiff. His arms feature a variety of tattoos, including what appear to be a stag’s head on his lower left arm and a depiction of the cartoon character Micky Mouse on his lower right arm.
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