Zippora Seven, one of New Zealand's most successful models has arguably been captured most beautifully through the lens of Derek Henderson. A documentary and fashion photographer, Henderson's name should be familiar to everyone reading this blog. His work marries the intimate portrayal of our native landscape and people - most notably in the series 'Waitoa Slaughter House' and 'Mercer Mercer', his ongoing investigation of the Waikato River - to the realm of fashion photography and as a result the imagery he creates is devoid of the meaninglessness much of the industry is rife with. Rather, Henderson allows the subject to present their unique take on the world in every image, perhaps why I have tear sheets of his from magazines framed on my wall beside illustrative prints and equally as thought-provoking poster design.
It's funny, actually. I was introduced to Derek Henderson's work largely through a presentation he made at Semi-Permanent a few years ago, and Kelly Thompson just informed me that this year she will be speaking at the Sydney incarnation of this event, although I have known and admired her work for some time now.
Thompson creates slick and telling photographic and illustrative imagery of babes, and through her innate ability to pull together theme, style and actual skill (when I try to draw a hand it resembles a cave-drawing of animal claws) has created work for the likes of Karen Magazine, Remix, Pulp Magazine and had exhibitions at Good as Gold, Superette and Gorker Gallery, to name but a few.
Kelly will be employing the above skills to render Derek's photographs, and here she explains why she's excited about working with Derek:
"Well for one Derek is one of New Zealand's most iconic photographers so it really is an honor to be working with him, and for him to consider me as an artist he would like to associate his brand with. His photographs are simple and stunning and capture a mood and emotion that many are unable to achieve. I also feel like we are on a similar wavelength when it comes to models and sexuality in art, and just embracing the beauty of these subjects. I love to chat with him as he just has this amazing calm, positive energy which is so inspiring. I've drawn Zippora in the past, and shot one of her first tests with Amanda Betts when she was an unknown 14 year old, so it feels great to revisit a subject from the past. I know she has a fabulous relationship with Derek and it shows in the photos; she has such great energy on film."
Derek Henderson has a long history of shooting Zippora Seven and is equally as excited about the collaboration:
"The book idea came about from the many times I've worked with Zippy, I really love working with her; she has a vibe about her that radiates a kind of harmony that not too many people have and of course she is very beautiful.
I think it is a great thing to be able to work with other people and the combination of Zippy, Kelly and myself felt right. Sometimes being a photographer is a lonely thing to do and I wanted to see an interpretation of the photographs by Kelly. There is something timeless about nudes and time is something that photography seems to be related to, in a way I'm always fascinated by and don't understand most of the time."
Here is a sneak peak of the project thus far:
We will keep you updated on the progress of this project and look forward to the final results.
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