Brooklyn based photographer Joanne Leah’s subjects are oft nude, covered in mysterious fluids, chewing on fruit, and are contorted in strange reposes all in a landscape of fleshy, supple genitalia. In Leah’ private, erotic Eden, sex is native and desire is portrayed like some kind of primordial, dionysion ceremony. There is also a certain longing in Leah’s photographs that paint a portrait of loneliness in post modernity that is both romantic and haunting. See interview and more photographs after the jump.
PAS UN AUTRE: When did you first start taking photographs and why?
JOANNE LEAH: I started shooting Polaroids of my girlfriends during middle school slumber parties. We wore red lipstick and used a white sheet as the backdrop. We tried to act cool or sexy and document it. While I was studying design in college, I picked up an old 35mm camera for a class. I photographed my friends and my environment with little consistency. Years later, I started experimenting with webcam self portraiture. I eventually bought a decent DSLR and started shooting myself nude. I have now moved on to photographing other people, using both digital and film equipment.
AUTRE: Can you remember your first photograph?
LEAH: A Middle School Polaroid of a friend wearing red lipstick and a black hat.
Visit Joanne Leah’s website to see more. Text by Oliver Maxwell Kupper for Pas Un Autre.
AUTRE: What does erotism mean to you?
LEAH: Seduction, ritual and anticipation.
AUTRE: Favorite part of the human body?
LEAH: Fingers.
AUTRE: What goes through your mind as you look through the viewfinder?
LEAH: How can I communicate myself through this person and communicate this person through myself?
AUTRE: Biggest inspirations or influences?
LEAH: My gut. My surroundings. The light. My subjects. My best friends: Publicfruit, Groovylab and Kevin Kay.
AUTRE: Whats next?
LEAH: Tomorrow
