We know that redheads have fascinated photographers for decades. Photographer Keith Barraclough has been photographing redheads in a series called The Redhead Project for over a decade, and even photographed H2BAR co-founders Adrienne and Stephanie in 2014. Brian Dowling, a Polish photographer who loves photographing redheads, released a book in 2017 featuring many of his photos including one of actress Madelaine Petsch before her rise to fame. A Portuguese photographer named Mag Rodrigues did an entire series of beautiful Portuguese redheads in a project called “Fado Ruivo.” London-based photographer, Brock Elbank, released his series called “Freckles” in 2015 highlighting many natural redheads.
But, these photographers aren’t the only ones with an affinity for photographing red hair.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) in Tampa, Florida is a museum “dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art as central to contemporary life and culture. FMoPA collects, preserves, and exhibits historic and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists. FMoPA also enriches the community by operating outreach programs to educate children and adults.”
Currently, FMoPA is home to an exhibit by photographer Joel Meyerowitz. Celebrated as a pioneer of color photography, Meyerowitz is an “award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in over 350 exhibits in museums and galleries around the world.” Meyerowitz’s current exhibit at FMoPA is a ‘redhead exhibit’ that features photos of redheads from 1964 to 1984. He also has a book titled “Redheads” that was published in 1991 and features 110 pages of stunning redhead photographs.
According to the FMoPA Instagram, “This initiative honors Joel Meyerowitz’s fascination with redheads, which is reflected in his photography. Meyerowitz has expressed a deep interest in the shared genetic features and the common spiritual bond that redheads often describe. He sought them out in places such as beaches and nightclubs, capturing their distinctive features and vibrant personalities in his work.”
The exhibit will run until July 14th, but redheads can visit the exhibit for FREE from June 11th until June 16th!
Redheads often captivate artists and photographers due to their distinctive and striking appearance. Several factors contribute to their popularity in art and photography:
1. Unique Hair Color: Red hair is rare, making up about 1-2% of the world’s population. This rarity gives redheads a special allure and a sense of uniqueness.
2. Striking Visual Contrast: The vibrant color of red hair contrasts beautifully with various backgrounds and lighting conditions, enhancing the visual impact of an image or artwork.
3. Cultural and Historical Significance: Red hair has been imbued with various cultural and symbolic meanings throughout history, ranging from associations with mythical figures and royalty to stereotypes of fiery tempers and independence. These connotations add layers of depth to the portrayal of redheads.
4. Skin Tones and Features: Redheads often have fair skin and distinctive features, which can create a captivating and ethereal look in portraits and other art forms. The combination of pale skin and red hair can evoke a sense of delicacy and vulnerability, adding emotional resonance to the artwork.
5. Light and Shadow Play: The interplay of light and shadow on red hair can create dynamic and captivating effects, allowing artists and photographers to explore a wide range of tones and textures.
6. Iconic Figures in Art: Historical and modern artworks have often highlighted redheaded figures, from Renaissance paintings to contemporary photography. This has reinforced the aesthetic appeal of redheads and perpetuated their presence in visual culture.
Overall, the distinctiveness and aesthetic versatility of red hair, combined with its cultural and historical connotations, make redheads a compelling subject for artistic exploration.
Will you be attending the exhibit?!
Rock it like aRedhead!
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