history of mle nude photography 159

James Bidgood's photographs feature elaborate sets built ground up from the materials of the theatre, fashion, design, and fine art. Many contemporary themes are found even in the earliest of Bidgood's work. Camp, identity, erotics and desire, marginality, and performance can be found in his portraits of nude men. His techniques, working processes, and masterful use of illusionistic color indicate both a mature understanding of his influences and goals and an important contrast to the art movements of the time the work was first created.
In 2005, James Bidgood was honored with a Creative Capital grant which facilitated a return to art photography after a hiatus of nearly forty years. In 1999 Taschen published a monograph of his work including biographical images and stills from his film. His most recent work was featured in Out in February 2009.