Katherine Cudmore looks at controversial photographer Tyler Shields and asks is it art?
In the words of Katy Perry it seems the fun, fresh, fierce aspects of California Girls apply to the men as well, as L.A based photographer and director Tyler Shields is all three.
Kicking it old school by using film and rejecting Photoshop Tyler uses controversial props; raw meat and irons to name but a few, and celebrity subjects such as Linsday Lohan and Emma Roberts to create some truly striking images. Bright red lips, gleaming skin; everyone drips with glamour but Tyler scratches at this Hollywood facade by pairing his beautiful subjects with ugly things such as blood soaked secateurs. But there are more sides to this man than meets the eye. At first glimpse it may look like he’s making the same tired old statements about the falseness of Hollywood. But Shields goes deeper, representing fierce emotions through the use of bold colours and actions stirring feelings within the viewer.
And that truly is the sign of an artist. Someone that makes you not only think but feel as well.
Art is emotion and Tyler captures this perfectly.
