With an interest to bring to life the many diverse voices and responses to Helmut Newton’s work, we created this ever-evolving online catalogue called Spotlight on Helmut Newton. Here, we draw on the support of artists, writers, photographers, academics, journalists, performers and more, to offer considered responses to Helmut’s work.
Honey and Prue are part of the Spotlight on Helmut Newton commissioned work programming.
Within this post, there are some images that contain nudity and we ask you to use your discretion when viewing.
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When looking at the Helmut Newton collection we were struck by the way he worked with black and white, magnifying the sensuality of light, shadow, texture and form. This textural palette, the opulence and moodiness of the scenes he captures and the darker under currents of power, desire and control is so dream-like, creating layers of potential meaning.
We wanted to respond with something rooted in the same visual world but using our own bodies and process, where the roles of muse and photographer become interchangeable. The powerful eroticism of the female body is still there but without a face it becomes something more symbolic and abstract—existing as materiality seperate to our personal identities.
Honey and Prue, Artist Statement
When looking at the Helmut Newton collection we were struck by the way he worked with black and white, magnifying the sensuality of light, shadow, texture and form. This textural palette, the opulence and moodiness of the scenes he captures and the darker under currents of power, desire and control is so dream-like, creating layers of potential meaning.
Honey Long and Prue Stent’s practice, HONEY AND PRUE, is a merging of photographic and sculptural disciplines. Grounded in experimentation between bodies, materials and environments, there is a pervasive desire to play with and entangle these spheres—seeking a greater sense of connection to them. Informed by processes of foraging and chance encounters, often cultural debris will become reconfigured within fluid and dreamy contexts, triggering subconscious associations while also aiming to avoid classification.
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With thanks to our Program Partner PHOTO 2022.