FRAGILE: Willie Nash

Selected works from the series: The Elusive Theatre of Biology

Willie Nash brings us The Elusive Theatre of Biology. Shot between 2006 and 2011, these

mise-en-scene photographs take a cinematically constructed, yet, “Old Master”-ly approach to photography.

The sets (all of which Mr. Nash created in his studio) are richly coloured and packed with darkly romantic symbolism, are a darkly comedic “nature show” exploring the human condition and behaviour. The central figure(s), predominantly a female nude, is placed in an often-awkward setting interspersed with symbols of fertility, technology, death and knowledge to display their self-assertive ability to deal with their uncanny situation, raising questions about freewill and where it fits in with our biological make-up. Works touch on a variety of aspects relating to the human condition, ranging from a character’s irrational urge to reproduce to the sudden realisation of certain death; still others grapple with the burdens brought on by technology and by knowledge. All raise the question of freewill: Does it exist or are we slaves to our biology, instinctually following a set of survival skills that over-ride the ideological concept of “freewill”?

Throughout the work, the frame of reference is always a level-headed and rational gaze into the pictorial allegory. Simultaneously, the image is absurdly insignificant yet is presented as the documentation o f a grand event. The print quality lends itself to this aspect, as well. Printed primarily on a textured matte paper, the images have the sumptuous beauty of a Renaissance painting, yet hold the sharp objectivity of surrealist paintings.