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Heroics
Photographer Paul Freeman takes a sometimes tongue-in-cheek look at the way European men have adorned and mythologized themselves and their physical courage over the centuries, and refers for inspiration to monumental art and paintings that were the work of artists who tended to depict a fantasy of sensuality rather than the brutal masculinity of reality. This sumptuous collection of gorgeous male art nude photographs is printed on large format art stock paper, another masterful tome by the inimitable Freeman, following closely on the heels of his bestselling Bondi and Outback series of books.
- GenresPhotography
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2011
43 people want to read
About the author
Paul Freeman
43 books19 followersBest known for his series of photographic monographs on the nude male, Paul Freeman's nude portraits of sports stars, Olympians and actors appeared between 1995 and 2005 in Studio Magazines' '(not only) Black And White', '(not only) Sport' and 'Blue', and in their books The Sydney Dream (2000), 'The Athen's Dream' (2004), and 'Sportbook' (2003)
In 1996 Paul wrote the best-selling biography of footballer Ian Roberts, ('Ian Roberts: Finding Out', Random House 1997).
His first monograph, 'Bondi Classic', was published to critical acclaim in 2003, and was followed by 'Bondi Urban' (2005), 'Bondi Work' (2006) and 'Bondi Road' (2007). This best-selling series, which takes its' name from Sydney's most iconic suburban beach, observes the contemporary young Australian urban male at home, at work and at play.
Equally successful has been Paul's Outback series, which uses the Australian bush and its' changing moods to explore Paul's male aesthetic, and to style and weather his subjects, varying thematic focus in each of 'Outback' ( 2008) ,' Outback Currawong Creek' (2009) , 'Outback Brumby' (2010), and 'Outback Bushmen' (2012).' Outback Dusk' has just been released.
His 2011 and 2013 books 'Heroics' and' Heroics II' are an exploration of the neo-classic nude male referencing sculpture and painting in Western European art, and even surrealist film interpretations. This work comments on attitudes to the naked male in public and art by juxtaposing our collective artistic heritage with contemporary reality and male physiques.
Many of Paul's books are available from Amazon.
Paul has made his mark in fashion and advertising, with international awards, from Cannes Lions to Clios, to his name.
He has a university degree in Arts, and studied photography at the Australian Centre For Photography in Sydney.
The New York Times art critic Robert Hughes' featured Paul's work in his 2000 documentary series Australia: Beyond The Fatal Shore.
Please go to paulfreeman.com.au for more information.
In 1996 Paul wrote the best-selling biography of footballer Ian Roberts, ('Ian Roberts: Finding Out', Random House 1997).
His first monograph, 'Bondi Classic', was published to critical acclaim in 2003, and was followed by 'Bondi Urban' (2005), 'Bondi Work' (2006) and 'Bondi Road' (2007). This best-selling series, which takes its' name from Sydney's most iconic suburban beach, observes the contemporary young Australian urban male at home, at work and at play.
Equally successful has been Paul's Outback series, which uses the Australian bush and its' changing moods to explore Paul's male aesthetic, and to style and weather his subjects, varying thematic focus in each of 'Outback' ( 2008) ,' Outback Currawong Creek' (2009) , 'Outback Brumby' (2010), and 'Outback Bushmen' (2012).' Outback Dusk' has just been released.
His 2011 and 2013 books 'Heroics' and' Heroics II' are an exploration of the neo-classic nude male referencing sculpture and painting in Western European art, and even surrealist film interpretations. This work comments on attitudes to the naked male in public and art by juxtaposing our collective artistic heritage with contemporary reality and male physiques.
Many of Paul's books are available from Amazon.
Paul has made his mark in fashion and advertising, with international awards, from Cannes Lions to Clios, to his name.
He has a university degree in Arts, and studied photography at the Australian Centre For Photography in Sydney.
The New York Times art critic Robert Hughes' featured Paul's work in his 2000 documentary series Australia: Beyond The Fatal Shore.
Please go to paulfreeman.com.au for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 16, 2018
To quote the amazing Bonnie Tyler:
I need a hero!
5 stars!
I need a hero!
5 stars!
December 22, 2015
This book was about as subtle as Fox News on gun control.
Hey, here are some beautiful men in Greek-inspired poses! But wait — let's make sure the viewer REALLY knows we're referencing Ancient Greece by putting all the models in clunky Spartan props! Because then we can make sure they really get it!!!
Lazy, unoriginal photography that is an insult to the reader's intelligence. And it's a shame because the models are ridiculously photogenic, but are completely let down by the props & photography.
Hey, here are some beautiful men in Greek-inspired poses! But wait — let's make sure the viewer REALLY knows we're referencing Ancient Greece by putting all the models in clunky Spartan props! Because then we can make sure they really get it!!!
Lazy, unoriginal photography that is an insult to the reader's intelligence. And it's a shame because the models are ridiculously photogenic, but are completely let down by the props & photography.
October 22, 2011
Heroics: Costumes and Attitudes from the Past in Full Bloom NOW!, October 21, 2011
Paul Freeman always takes his large following of admirers of his photographic artistry on an experience with every new book he publishes. With a reputation for finding the finest models in Australia to appear in his previous volumes of the outback in Australia (Outback, Outback Currawong Creek, Outback Brumby, Bondi Classic, Bondi Urban, Bondi Work, Bondi Road) the reader expects to see stunningly handsome hunks on the pages of his monographs. But this new book, HEROICS, is a different step for Freeman.
Continuing the same exceptionally high quality of photographic art - black and white, duotone, full color, and color tinted images, with the most sophisticated lighting effects available and a top sense of composition - this book places his models in the uniforms and attitudes of European historical concepts of the Hero. His basically nude models are adorned with swords, shields, armor, hairpieces, and an array of dazzling uniforms from many countries and many periods and from his matrix he recreates the 'old concept' of heroism. Many of the images are tongue in cheek - gladiators posing in front of a kitchen skin, men alone and together with allusions to great warriors from Greek legend and Roman times, men reenacting famous sculptures. Theses images may contain humor and parody, but they still retain Freeman's ability to find that special macho alluring sensuality that is his trademark.
An aspect that makes these images so refreshingly new from his other work is his use of color on otherwise monochromatic photographs. The artist in him flows freely and that aspect we hope to see more often. Just to give this collection of Heroics more validity, Freeman includes photographs of many works of art in ancient sculpture: the reader may have to look twice to realize that these sensitively placed addenda aren't live models, so well are they integrated into his book concept. This book represents a new step for Paul Freeman and to know that he can maintain our dedication to his work with each new thought is one of the marks of a very important artist. Kudos!
Grady Harp
Paul Freeman always takes his large following of admirers of his photographic artistry on an experience with every new book he publishes. With a reputation for finding the finest models in Australia to appear in his previous volumes of the outback in Australia (Outback, Outback Currawong Creek, Outback Brumby, Bondi Classic, Bondi Urban, Bondi Work, Bondi Road) the reader expects to see stunningly handsome hunks on the pages of his monographs. But this new book, HEROICS, is a different step for Freeman.
Continuing the same exceptionally high quality of photographic art - black and white, duotone, full color, and color tinted images, with the most sophisticated lighting effects available and a top sense of composition - this book places his models in the uniforms and attitudes of European historical concepts of the Hero. His basically nude models are adorned with swords, shields, armor, hairpieces, and an array of dazzling uniforms from many countries and many periods and from his matrix he recreates the 'old concept' of heroism. Many of the images are tongue in cheek - gladiators posing in front of a kitchen skin, men alone and together with allusions to great warriors from Greek legend and Roman times, men reenacting famous sculptures. Theses images may contain humor and parody, but they still retain Freeman's ability to find that special macho alluring sensuality that is his trademark.
An aspect that makes these images so refreshingly new from his other work is his use of color on otherwise monochromatic photographs. The artist in him flows freely and that aspect we hope to see more often. Just to give this collection of Heroics more validity, Freeman includes photographs of many works of art in ancient sculpture: the reader may have to look twice to realize that these sensitively placed addenda aren't live models, so well are they integrated into his book concept. This book represents a new step for Paul Freeman and to know that he can maintain our dedication to his work with each new thought is one of the marks of a very important artist. Kudos!
Grady Harp
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews