Photographer Sally Mann has released a new memoir titled 'Art Work: On the Creative Life'. The book, published on September 9, offers readers an intimate look into Mann's artistic journey. It details her experiences with creativity, the challenges she faced, and how she navigated personal and professional setbacks throughout her career. CBS has described the memoir as a reflection on both creativity and loss.
Key Takeaways
- Sally Mann's new memoir, 'Art Work: On the Creative Life', was released on September 9.
- The book explores Mann's career, including her creative process and personal challenges.
- It discusses themes of hard work, risk-taking, and overcoming rejection in the art world.
- Mann addresses controversies surrounding her past photographic work, particularly images of her children.
- The memoir is illustrated with photographs, journal entries, and letters, offering a deeper insight into her life.
A Deep Dive into the Creative Life
Mann's new book promises to give readers access to her thoughts and experiences. It focuses on how she managed various difficulties as a photographer over decades. Publisher Harry N. Abrams highlights several themes within 'Art Work'. These include the early promise of a career, the unexpected role of luck, and the importance of continuous hard work. The memoir also touches on dealing with rejection, distractions, and the necessity of taking risks in art. Finally, it emphasizes the rewards of understanding one's motivations and making intentional choices.
The book is enriched with illustrations. These include Mann's own photographs, personal journal entries, and letters. These elements add an immediate and emotional quality to her narrative. They help readers connect with her journey on a more personal level.
The Choice of Place and Perseverance
Sally Mann spent most of her life in and around Lexington, Kentucky. She considered leaving the area to find faster success in her career. However, she ultimately chose to stay. This decision, she explains, meant a longer path to recognition.
"I did need to leave here if I wanted to have a successful career," Mann told CBS Mornings. "[But] I didn’t. And it just took me a little longer. I just stayed home and I made the work and I just made more work and I made more work and more work and pretty soon I had work that people couldn’t ignore."
This quote highlights her dedication and belief in her artistic vision. She focused on producing a large body of work that eventually gained significant attention. Mann also spoke about her artistic intentions. She aimed to create images that reflected her understanding of the American South. This included its complexities and its darker aspects.
Fact Check
- Book Title: 'Art Work: On the Creative Life'
- Author: Sally Mann
- Publication Date: September 9
- Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
- Illustrations: Photographs, journal entries, letters
Addressing Controversy and Past Work
Sally Mann's photographic work has often sparked debate due to its subject matter. Some of her most well-known pieces are nude photographs of her children as they grew up. These images have been a source of significant controversy for many years. Critics have sometimes found these works inflammatory.
Earlier this year, authorities in Texas seized some of her photographs from an exhibition. This action followed complaints that the images promoted child pornography. The state of Texas invested thousands of dollars into this effort. This included flying police officers to New York City for an investigation. The officers visited major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. However, they found no relevant photos on display. Eventually, Texas returned the seized photographs and dropped all charges related to the case.
Background on Sally Mann's Career
Sally Mann is an American photographer known for her intimate black-and-white photographs. Her work often explores themes of family, childhood, death, and the Southern landscape. Born in 1951, she gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While some of her work, particularly the 'Immediate Family' series, has drawn criticism, it has also received widespread critical acclaim. Her photographs are held in major museum collections worldwide.
Overcoming Early Rejection
While some of Mann's photographs of her children have been contentious, many images from that period are simpler. They depict more domestic scenes of family life. An art dealer once used the term "domestic" to describe her early work. This dealer told Mann that her images would not sell because of this quality. Mann recalls taking this rejection very hard.
"I took it so personally," she states.
Despite this early setback, Mann persevered. She continued to develop her unique style and vision. Her memoir recounts this journey of overcoming professional rejection. It details how she managed to build a successful and impactful career against initial doubts. The book serves as a testament to her resilience and commitment to her art.
Mann's dedication to her craft eventually led to her work being recognized globally. Her ability to persist through controversy and criticism underscores a significant aspect of her artistic identity. The memoir offers valuable insights for aspiring artists and anyone interested in the challenges of a creative life. It emphasizes that success often comes through persistence and an unwavering belief in one's own artistic voice.
The hardcover edition of 'Art Work: On the Creative Life' is currently available for purchase. Readers can find it at major booksellers.