| June 8 – September 7, 2008
William Wegman (1943- ) is a pioneering artist known for photographs, videos and books featuring his Weimaraner dogs. William Wegman: Fay celebrates the artistic partnership of Wegman and his beloved canine muse, Fay Ray. For ten years (1986-1995), their lives were creatively entwined, resulting in a brilliant body of photographic work for which Wegman and Fay are especially known. Their odyssey as partners in art and in life is explored in a rich array of photographs from the William Wegman Studio, New York City, many of which have rarely or never been exhibited publicly. Selected 20 x 24-inch Polaroids, chromogenic prints, gelatin silver prints and video segments are featured. An early exponent of conceptual art, he has experimented with
a wide range of media—painting, drawing, film, kinetic sculpture,
installation and performance—and he is a pioneering maker
of video. Photography captures his interest as well. Because of
his formal training as a painter, Wegman often identifies himself
as “a resident alien in the world of photography,” and retains an
outsider’s ability to characterize his observations simply. After
twenty-some years of photographing Weimaraners in various
guises, Wegman notes that dogs are bred to work with humans,
stating that, “Despite my silly photographs, it’s serious work and
the dogs take it seriously.” William Wegman: Fay was organized by the Allentown Art Museum in collaboration with the William Wegman Studio, New York. Contributing support for William Wegman: Fay is provided by The Leon C.
and June W. Holt Endowment and Viamedia.
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William Wegman, American b. 1943
William Wegman, American b. 1943 |
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Allentown Art Museum • 31 N. 5th Street • Allentown, PA 18101
610.432.4333 • | ||||||||||||||
