Edward Cella Gallery proudly debuts a new body of work entitled Protection by photographer Blake Little at the Tom of Finland Foundation Art & Culture Festival 2021 and online at Artsy through December 31, 2021.
Although widely known for his award-winning photography for the entertainment industry, Blake Little has created distinctive series of in-depth portraiture of individuals in various LGBTQ communities for decades. Little explores and documents these subcultures by personally navigating networks of the people he photographs. His work reveals the unique characteristics of each sitter but also the shared common identities which draw these folks together.
Starting in 2019, Protection was inspired by the photographer's visual curiosity with rubber and latex clothing and how it covers and accentuates the body. Seeking out both male and females drawn to the material and the sexual freedom it creates, Little produced a series of photographic sessions in his Los Angeles studio shooting both individuals and couples, encouraging them to express their particular fascinations and playful relationships for the camera.
With hopes of creating images that reveal the visual and emotional aspects of this seductive second skin, Little became fascinated with the idea that while the outfits often conceal the body creating anonymity, the rubber enthusiasts are actually pursuing deeper human connections. The common fetishes and fascinations with the material bring these people together.
In the midst of making the series, the world-wide pandemic organically created new layers of meaning and context for the project.
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Blake Little
Leigh #2, 2019Archival pigment print on paper
Available in Four Sizes
Archival pigment print on paper mounted on dibond with acrylic face
Large Print: 40 inches high by 26.5 inches wide (101.6 x 74.9 cm)
Small Print: 30 inches high by 20 inches wide (76.2 x 50.8 cm)
Limited to an edition of nine in either size
Archival pigment print on paper in an open edition:
22 x 17 inches (55.8 x 43.18 cm)
10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 cm) -
How do we navigate intimacy in this new reality when human contact can threaten your life?
Blake Litte
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Blake Little
Chad and Kevin, Seated Black, 2020Archival pigment print on paper
Available in Four Sizes
Archival pigment print on paper mounted on dibond with acrylic face
Large Print: 40 inches high by 26.5 inches wide (101.6 x 74.9 cm)
Small Print: 30 inches high by 20 inches wide (76.2 x 50.8 cm)
Limited to an edition of nine in either size
Archival pigment print on paper in an open edition:
22 x 17 inches (55.8 x 43.18 cm)
10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 cm) -
Blake Little
Sergio Kneeling, 2019Archival pigment print on paper
Available in Four Sizes
Archival pigment print on paper mounted on dibond with acrylic face
Large Print: 40 inches high by 26.5 inches wide (101.6 x 74.9 cm)
Small Print: 30 inches high by 20 inches wide (76.2 x 50.8 cm)
Limited to an edition of nine in either size
Archival pigment print on paper in an open edition:
22 x 17 inches (55.8 x 43.18 cm)
10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 cm) -
Blake Little
Hector Pink Closeup, 2019Archival pigment print on paper
Available in Four Sizes
Archival pigment print on paper mounted on dibond with acrylic face
Large Print: 40 inches high by 26.5 inches wide (101.6 x 74.9 cm)
Small Print: 30 inches high by 20 inches wide (76.2 x 50.8 cm)
Limited to an edition of nine in either size
Archival pigment print on paper in an open edition:
22 x 17 inches (55.8 x 43.18 cm)
10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 cm) -
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Blake Little, Serge Falling, 2019
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Blake Little, Leigh Choked, 2019
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Blake Little, Leigh #4 Yellow Profile, 2019
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Blake Little, Chad Rising, 2020
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Blake Little, Chad Blue Hood, 2019
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Blake Little, Chad and Kevin, Piggyback, 2020
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Blake Little, Chad and Kevin, Embrace #2, 2020
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Blake Little, Kevin Breathe Profile, 2020
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Blake Little, Sarah Mask #2, 2020
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Blake Little, Chad Closeup Black, 2019
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Blake Little, Ed Kneeling, 2020
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Blake Little, Erica Profile, 2020
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