At once familiar and unexpected, Nick Veasey uses X-ray technology to show the inside of various objects and people in his artwork.
Born in 1962 in London, England, Veasey first worked in advertising and design with conventional still photography. During one shoot he was asked to X-ray a soda can for a television show. Inspired, he also X-rayed his own shoes.
Upon showing that photograph to an art director and receiving a promising response, Veasey became deeply interested in the use of X-ray technology to render his artworks. Over the last three decades, Veasey has experimented with capturing different images and has accrued acclaim for his unique X-rayed artwork.
And now, he’s coming to Atlanta.
“We’re thrilled to welcome and exhibit the work of such an internationally recognized artist at our Atlanta gallery,” said Grace Chambless, Director of Maune Contemporary. “Forensic Beauty” will open at the gallery on on June 27,
“Nick Veasey’s X-ray photographs transform everyday objects into things of complex beauty when stripped down to their core. In a world that increasingly places emphasis on superficiality, Veasey’s work asks viewers to not take things at face value, but for what lies within,” explained Chambless.
Operating at the intersection of science and art, his works offer an alternate perception of commonplace items and objects. This inward look inspires viewers to reconsider even the most mundane surroundings. While most are likely familiar with X-rays from doctors offices and TSA checkpoints, Veasey has managed to transmute the process into an artistic discipline that produces truly one-of-a-kind artworks.
Veasey’s works are included in the collections of museums around the world such as the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei.
“The very nature of Veasey’s medium is highly dangerous, in turn making his process and studio as interesting as the works themselves,” said Chambless.
The process to create Veasey’s works starts in a concrete bunker of sorts that he created specifically for capturing images. Then, subjects are placed on the floor or wall, and film is placed under or behind the subject. The X-rays then pass through the subject, leaving an impression on the film at exactly the same size as the original objects.
The film is then processed and scanned into a digital format at high resolution. The completion of one large and complex artwork can take months to complete, sometimes including multiple scans and films that are merged together digitally.
Nick Veasey’s “Forensic Beauty” will debut at Maune Contemporary Atlanta on Thursday, June 27 from 7-9 p.m. The artist will be present during the opening reception.
