Artist's Statements - Naked Icons

Back to exhibition

Mary and I had been discussing working on a photo shoot together for ages, and at the time I wanted to experiment cross-processing an 800 ASA slide film. When we visited Toyo Ito's brilliant exhibition 'Blurring Architecture' we were both captivated. The changing geometric shapes projected onto a blank backdrop made us realise this was the perfect location for our shoot. Though it was done very quickly and very discreetly, the shoot was so charged it became surreal. The second role of film, a B&W 800 ASA was used to capture the contrasting shapes moving across Mary's body. Luckily only the images got caught!

When we knew we were going to exhibit the photos we contacted the exhibition curator Andrew Barry who helped us gain permission from Mr Toyo Ito himself. As an photographer I feel 'Naked Icons' touches on risk taking in public places, female mysticism, and pop-sex culture.

    Ali Hale (photographer)

As friends, Ali and I had often talked about working together, so when we went to enjoy Toyo Ito's exhibition 'Blurring Architecture' it was spontaneously decided that here was our opportunity to collaborate - the result being 'Naked Icons'.

During the shoot there was a feeling of great excitement, reverence and intimacy. The dynamic between Ali and I, Toyo Ito's beautiful exhibition, and the high level of risk we were taking, created a platform where restrictive taboos surrounding beauty, religion, and the norm could be discarded.

    Mary Watson (model)