As a very special gift for the one-year anniversary of the Leigh Bowery Tribute Website, we present an exclusive interview with the photographer Fergus Greer, who was responsible for some of the best images of Leigh Bowery.
Fergus Greer started is photographic career as Terence Donovans assistant and studio manager, before setting up as a freelance photographer. He worked for Sunday Times Magazine for 4 years as well as British Elle, Marie Claire, Tatler, Harpers & Queen and GQ. In 1996 he moved to Los Angeles and his clients now include Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine and Esquire. He has also been involved with several advertising campaigns.
How did you first get interested in photography?
As far back as I can remember I was often touched by things ; sight, sound,
smell and ver often this was in a metaphysical way in which it would then
lend it self to an outlet of creativity; In less pretencious terms I might
read Orlando and then think up how I could make a ballet of it, with all the
composite parts.So the creative vehicle was / is not always photography, it
was just one avenue that I happened to end up being the one I earn my living
from!
What inspires you the most in your work ? Whose photographers do you admire?
It has to move me in that way that is not stemmed from a concious thought,
but builds up inside one and and gradually makes a feeling an overwelming
warmth of emotion towards the image.Its a subliminal response, "gutterall",
Metaphysical. both when composing an image or in repsonse to the final print.
That is not to say all the images and way I take pictures achieve
this...sadly far from it, but when one does it is deeply satisfying and sort
of counters or the sence of failure and frustration from the ones that don't.
Many, many photographers for many many reasons; no one genre, like music,
literature, art Just what moves me; Avedon, Turnley, Lange, Evans, Brassai,
Kerns, Penn and many many more.The image have to "sing" have a rythm, and
some people produce more that do that and some maybe only one in a lifetime,
there is no formular or when it becomes formalaic(I think like T S Elito said
that the worst enemy of writers was nostalga in theeir work and it would
creep up on them like a thief, think the same can be said of Formula, it is
easy to follow a path that appears to have produced some strong successful
images, and equally it is as difficult to leave it as one never knows , and
is in fear that power ones achieved will ever be found again through another
way of interpretation), they tend to lose that resonence , integrity and
power.
How did you first get in touch with Leigh Bowery ? What was your first reaction when you saw him?
I didn't know of Leigh; I wasn't a great clubber or anything like that, but a
couple of friends of mine said that Leigh was putting on a series of
performances at The Anthony d'Offay Gallery in London and thought I should go
and meet him and do some pictures together...I was curious and on seeing
Leigh was completely "moved". I had found a muse, who fortunately was a
willing one!
What do you think of his works, as a fashion designer, club diva, performer, art object, etc ...
It is so hard to say to define, so many people are willing to pigeon hole
and assess in relation to one area of fashion, time place, art etc.
To me he was a great artist, whose work continued to excite me and move me to
want to photograph him. He was his own palate/medium.
We had fun collaborating and producing images; I think he recognized that we
both had an invaluable commodity to bring to eachother; His work, for there
to be a legacy and me more available to a wider accessable ordience had to
recorded and interpreted and be in a more commercial form:photography, and
thats' where I came in!
How was Leigh at the photo sessions ?
As always, hugely dicasplined, and with a twist of fun and irony!
What is your favourite picture of Leigh?
I like many, and I hate some...largely due to my own failing in producing a
strong lasting powerful image; but I think that one of the best is probably
the one with Nicola i the harness, in a 3/4 pose to camera (page 163 in the
new book).
There has been a great "revival" of Leigh Bowery nowadays.
In your opinion, what is the best thing that Leigh left us?
As a person; to live life to its' full, be yourself; but not in a
irresposible selfish way but with care and thought to others.Leigh was
extraordinary giving.
As an artist; His art, not the club stuff etc etc, but the visual resources
to look and be moved , regardless of period by his work.
You have a beautiful website. What do you think the Web will do for
photography? Have you ever tried web photography?
In so much as I use it as a day to day tool to help be more effective at the
business side of my work. I like alot and get very excited seeing alot of
what is gogin on on the web. but my lack of technical ability in this fieald(
a bit like the fact I can't print and have no interest to do so), I have no
interest in attempting anything myself.If someone had that part of it and
then I could use my visual creative imput yes then I would be interested.
What was the most memorable photo you've ever taken and why?
"Memorable", thats an interesting one; Many really. of Cheetah The Chimp, In
Kosovo , Of Emelda Markus, of The Neimeyer architecture of Brasilia, below
those large dramatic, stormy skies!..But they are not memorable because of
the subject but in addition to the subject and the image...they just worked
for a second, like Leigh and there they are and many more.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. When you're not working, what kinds
of things do you enjoy the most ? What kind of music do you listen to?
Travel, read, think..thats about it really.All sorts I am lazy about it I
just tend to listen and let others decide what to play and then if I hear
somethng I like I play it to death! From lassical, baroque,hip hop, funk,
jazz, disco, gaelic, pauan new guinean, house, world ...etc etc.
I am not sure whether my ramblings will be of much interest , or get many
people to your site!
Best wishes,
Fergus Greer
VISIT THE FERGUS GREER'S WEBSITE
http://www.fergusgreer.com
Creation date : 19/01/2007 @ 15:30
Last update : 19/01/2007 @ 15:30
Category : Interviews
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