Art Metropole

#10855

POSER 3

Artist

Ho Tam

Date

2013

Publisher

self published

Format

Artists' Books

Size

21 × 27.5 × 0.3 cm

Length

64 

Created in a format that is between a book and a magazine, POSER represents a reinvention of the genre of artist’s book. It is developed from artist Ho Tam’s ongoing photo project. With snapshots taken at specific locations, each issue features a particular theme. POSER 1 is the monks and novices in yellow robes in Bangkok, while in POSER 2 I turn to men with stuffed toys at a Toronto summer fair. In POSER 3, the setting is the streets of Montreal and the subjects are its elderly citizens.

Each set of photographs was taken in the period between 2003 and 2004. With a particular theme in mind, Ho Tam approaches the subjects and ask for their permission. The exchange is usually completed within a few seconds to a minute, and the artist only takes one picture of each individual. It is both exciting and nerve-wracking because one never knows what the response of the subject will be.

Each issue of POSER is consisted of candid poses and colorful personalities. In a way, the collection also becomes a social study of the grouping.