Tom Baril
American photographer (born 1952)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Baril (born 1952)[1] is an American photographer known for his photographs of flowers, landscapes, and architecture.[2][3] Based in New York, he creates work characterized by textural detail and soft focus, often using a handmade pinhole camera.[3]
Tom Baril | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952 (age 73–74) Putnam, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | School of Visual Arts (BFA, 1980) |
| Known for | Photography |
| Website | tombaril.net |
He worked for a decade as Robert Mapplethorpe's printer, developing technical printing skills, before establishing himself as an independent artist.[4][5]
Early life and education
Baril was born in Putnam, Connecticut[1] and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1980.[2][3]
Career
In 1979, while still a student at the School of Visual Arts, Baril turned to printing to support his photography career and was hired as Robert Mapplethorpe's printer.[4][6] The working relationship lasted 10 years and was characterized by significant tension.[4] Mapplethorpe confined Baril to the darkroom and communicated with him through third parties.[4] Despite the difficult working conditions and often delayed payment, Baril continued the professional relationship.[7] During this period, Baril's own photography was overshadowed by Mapplethorpe's, and he essentially paused his career.[8]
Baril's technical skill was widely recognized,[citation needed] and Mapplethorpe was praised for the quality of the printing.[5] Mapplethorpe's aesthetic demands were specific: he wanted "everything to look beautiful", whether flowers, faces, or figure studies.[4] Baril and Mapplethorpe connected over their shared appreciation of classical tradition.[6]
After leaving Mapplethorpe's employ, Baril concentrated on his own photography,[3] but continued to print in Mapplethorpe's original darkroom, later part of the Mapplethorpe Foundation.[6]
Gallerist David Fahey introduced 4AD owner Ivo Watts-Russell to Baril's work,[6] which led to 4AD's publishing Baril's first monograph in 1997. The initial printing of 2,500 copies sold out immediately,[9] and instantly boosted Baril's career.[10] Despite its popularity, the book was not financially successful due to its expensive hand-binding and specialized printing process.[11]
In 1998, Baril was described as "one of the hottest contemporary fine-art photographers".[6]
Work
Baril primarily photographs three subjects: flowers, landscapes, and architecture,[2][3][12] including such industrial subjects as the Brooklyn Bridge,[13] the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge,[14] and steel mills.[15] His work has been described as "quietly contemplative" in contrast to Mapplethorpe's "loudly transgressive" images.[8]
In 1994, Baril began working with pinhole photography, using a 4×5 view camera and Polaroid Type 55 film,[6] which creates both a print and a reusable negative.[16]
Baril's printing technique uses selenium toner, followed by a tea bath, to give the prints warmer, deeper tones.[6][8][16] He specifically uses Lipton tea.[16] He often leaves the raw marks from Polaroid separation around the edges of his prints.[8][16] Baril also uses solarization, exposing film to light while still developing.[16] This process creates bubbles and streaks that he uses to advantage, giving his prints "an occasional painterliness".[16]
Collections
Baril's work is held in the following public collections:
- Bell Gallery, Brown University[17]
- Benton Museum of Art, University of Connecticut[18]
- Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris[19]
- Brooklyn Museum, New York[20]
- Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington[21]
- Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts[22][23]
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia[24]
Publications
- Tom Baril (1997). 4AD. ISBN 978-0-9657450-0-0.[9]
- Botanica (2000). Arena Editions. ISBN 978-1-892041-20-3.[2]