Harry Gruyaert

by Harry Gruyaert, François Hebel

Born in Antwerp in 1941 and a member of Magnum Photos since 1982, Harry Gruyaert revolutionized creative and experimental uses of color in the 1970s and 1980s. Influenced by cinema and American photographers, his work defined new territory for color photography: an emotive, non-narrative, and boldly graphic way of perceiving the world.

In 1972, while living in London, Gruyaert created the striking series TV Shots by turning the dial on a television set at random and photographing the distorted images he saw there. A later series, Made in Belgium, portrays his ambivalent relationship with his homeland in a palette of saturated tones. In his most recent work, he embraces the possibilities of digital photography, taking further creative risks to capture light in new ways.

Gruyaert’s images are autonomous, often independent of any context or thematic logic. This volume, the first retrospective of his work, is a superb overview of his personal quest for freedom of expression and the liberation of the senses.

Genres: Photography, Art, Art and Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2015

Reviews

[David Rothwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating perspective on the world of colour photography, I have been following the likes of Ernst Haas, Alex Webb and William Eggleston who imbue colour as an art form within the medium of photography. They're many more I could mention here obviously, albeit these mentioned have a similar style to each other covering many aspects such as travel, borders and the banal everyday events of life.

This is a book which could be construed as a collectors item, if only to broaden ones understanding of colour photography, the images are incredible and the use of colour by Gruyaert is a very interesting palette.

A must buy.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luscious color street photography. A gentler, quieter Martin Parr feel (even has his own beach series, subtle and muted). The printing is very very good, though not Steidl great, which is the only strike against this book. But a delicious visual feast.

[Benjy Shashinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully printed book, and overall a solid introduction to Gruyaert's work. Compared to many other great photographers, however, Gruyaert is hit-and-miss. Some of his photos are stunning, others rather banal. I would say that about half of the pictures in this book could have been replaced with other, stronger photographs by him. It's not one of those monographs, in my opinion, where each and every photograph makes you stop and pause. But it's still worth a look or a purchase if you're a fan of Gruyaert.

[Michel Schynkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel erg genoten van de foto's in dit boek. Harry Gruyaert behoort zondermeer tot de top van de Belgische fotografen. Zijn gebruik van kleur doet vaak wat denken aan dat van Saul Leiter, al zijn de beelden van deze laatste vaak iets meer abstract van aard. Sprekende beelden die je telkens opnieuw kan bekijken.

[dv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well made book (too bad for the very short introduction / comment) dedicated to one of the main contemporary representative of a certain kind of color photography who somehow positions himself, in a very personal way (and as an European), as a wannabe "heir" of Saul Leiter and a sure "companion" of Alex Webb.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the greatest single artist collection of color photography I have ever seen

[Jacob Maness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stunning photos, some a little busy and not for me. Great stuff though.

[Dina H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Des couleurs, des couleurs, et encore plus de couleurs. 😍

[traveler, learner, lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute inspiration

[David Jin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating portrayal of Gruyaert's fascination with shapes, objects, photographed in a rainbow of minimalistic quirk. With the informative and brief foreword you can make a connection with how he's made efforts to distance himself from his influences and find his signature style, which should not be mistaken for "singular style." A nice, quick lesson on photographic history.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turn your gaze toward the shadows, the colors, the textures, the "empty" spaces--these are Gruyaert's true subjects.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for anyone interested in early color art photography.