David Lebe
I went and visited David Lebe’s studio last week and all I can say is: impressed. I made the visit specifically to pick up some older hand-coloured photographs of his (the dates from these photos span from 1980-1987) - they are absolutely gorgeous. I sincerely wish I had the money to purchase one right now.
I spent the better part of a day going through and photographing the work for the website and color correcting each file (I only had my little point and shoot). Visiting David’s studio made me wish everyone could have an opportunity to do so. You really come to appreciate an artist much more when you get to witness how they work, see what is important to them, and how this informs what they create.
There is a great interview online between David and another photographer, Richard Kagan, and Richard asks David if vulnerability is important in his work:
“I think artists have to be vulnerable. There are artists who put up armor and they are great artists, and they do wonderful work, but in some way they don’t even realize they’re being vulnerable. They’re letting us in, even if they think they’re not. You have to be out there–if not consciously, then unconsciously. For art to happen, somehow you have to put yourself out there and open yourself up. You have to let others look inside.” - David Lebe
I’ve thought about this before, and it is of course, a very hard thing for most people to do, myself included. If I take a look at all of the writers & artists I’ve admired (Paul Monette, Miranda July, Peter Gabriel, just to name a few) - they are all extremely genuine, authentic and original individuals who created highly personal work. I’ve always respected people who could do this.
David and I discussed possibly recording some video of him in the studio and the idea of shooting and compiling video of many of the artists the gallery works with. I really love the possibilities of a project like this.
Promise to keep you updated 
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Image above:
David Lebe, Self-Portrait 11:38, 1981, hand-coloured light drawing, 16 x 20 inches
