The Emancipation of Judy - Robert Lang

About

Robert Lang (born 1982, Durban, South Africa) is a photographer currently living in Los Angeles, California. Predominately working as a fashion photographer, Lang debuted his career working on images for the London, Paris, Paris Couture and New York Fashion Weeks for a British national newspaper. He has contributed editorially and written interviews for various fashion magazines.

In Robert Langs second solo show, showcases the photos portraying who Judy is and who she wants to be as she was stripped of this choice when she was created. Judy has only ever been treated as a sexualized possession and like anyone else feels to need to be desired but was made to be your sexual fantasy and a product of capitalism.

The result of Judy’s journey is 21 colour images photographed in Los Angeles including collages of herself over dreamy landscapes manifesting a need to escape and explore.

“Maybe I will travel and see the great outdoors. I do tire of the city and imagine days spent lying in fields of flowers and gazing at my reflection in crystal waters.” - Judy

‘On creating the series of Judy I initially worked with a blow up doll when I photographed a lookbook for a menswear designer in London. I revisited the concept with the idea that she was a living being and how interesting it would be to photograph her from her own perspective.

The theme of existentialism was pretty evident as the theme of choice and freedom played a large role in the concept of Judy. Feminism plays a large role in the photo series but I felt it patronising on my own behalf to discuss this as I am a man but was surrounded by strong woman growing up who fought for women’s rights the entirety of their lives.

It was really interesting to watch the photos develop and how a slight change in angle could portray emotions of sorrow, joy, desire, love, pride, shame and sympathy.’

Robert Lang first UK solo show 'Filthy Gorgeous Camden Town' exhibited in  2016 at the Doomed Gallery, London.