Counter Editions Prints

Winner of the Turner Prize in 1997, London-based artist Gillian Wearing uses photography and video to explore the complexities of everyday life. For much of her work Wearing approaches ordinary people, often straight off the street. They hold up signs to voice their thoughts, put on a disguise and confess all, play air guitar to their favourite track or tell stories about traumatic childhood events. For To Diane Love Gillian (Homage to Diane Arbus) Wearing approached a young teenage biker girl in Southend on Sea. She restyled her, recreating the look and feel of a 1960's Diane Arbus street portrait, employing the same medium format Rolliflex camera with flash that Arbus used. The resulting portrait is remarkable in capturing the same sense of intimacy and exposure that Arbus was known for. Both an inspiration and influence on Wearing's work, this photograph is a true homage to the continued legacy of Diane Arbus.