Mark Nixon connects with the viewer on a new level with his
series “Much Loved,” a compilation of aged teddy bears, their names and their
stories. His technique is simple but complex. There is only one subject in this
piece and that is the bear which is highlighted by careful backlighting and
soft under lighting on their feet. The teddy is always floating in space.
Nixon is much like photographer and artist Jon Crispin. His
style is to capture moments frozen in time. Nixon does this by allowing the
viewer to drink in the image of the usually tattered or wounded bear before
giving the viewer just enough time to ask themselves, what the heck happened to
this bear? Which brings them to the teddy’s story which will further capture
the viewers interest and most likely, emotion as it did mine.
Nixon hits home so hard it hurts to be honest. That’s one
heck of an alliteration to describe what this artist does but its true. He
makes me want to steal from him, to take pictures of my own stuffed animals (my
friends and characters) and tell their stories. To tug the heartstrings of a
viewer with only a stuffed bear takes talent and respect for the spirit of the
owner of that toy and for that bear’s story. A talent and respect I hope to
achieve in my own works someday.
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