Amidst the diverse subjects and themes that populate Tyler Shields' portfolio, there exists a subtle yet unmistakable thread - his signature use of the color red. Whether it's an audacious red Ferrari set ablaze, or the understated elegance of a Chanel lipstick, the color unravels significantly as a unifying touch throughout his myriad subjects and narratives.
Red, symbolizing an array of ideas from love to anger, perfectly helps in telling a story through imagery. Central to Shields' exploration of red is his latest series—a meticulous study of Lipsticks captured up close on an 8 x 10 Deardorff film camera from 1959. In each photograph, the glossy sheen of the lipstick becomes a mirror for the artist's exploration of beauty, desire, and self-expression. Some lipsticks lie pristine and untouched, their vibrant red hues evoking a sense of potential and possibility, while others bear the marks of wear, their surfaces imbued with the traces of intimate moments and personal narratives.
From his Indulgence series, Ferrari Sunbathe, captured moments before the car was set on fire, captures a leisurely let provacative moment. The striking contrast between the sleek curves of the car and the model's graceful form creates a scene of surreal elegance, while the fiery hue of the Ferrari adds a bold splash of color to the calming desert landscape.
This scene is emblematic of Shields' penchant for juxtaposition—pairing the glamour of luxury with the starkness of nature, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of opulence and simplicity.
In "Red Lipstick," Shields plays with the interplay of light and shadow to highlight a single element—the vivid red lipstick adorning the model's lips. Against a backdrop of black and white tones, the lipstick stands out as a beacon of sensuality and sophistication, its rich hue drawing the viewer's gaze with magnetic allure.
"Strawberry" offers a tantalizing glimpse into a moment of indulgence, as two lips frame a juicy strawberry being bitten. The soft, delicate curves of the human form contrast beautifully with the vibrant red of the fruit, creating a composition that is at once intimate and alluring.
In "Take Out Pearls," Shields invites viewers to contemplate the intersection of luxury and consumer culture, as a model indulges in a feast of pearls outside a Chinese takeout box. With her nails and lips painted a bold shade of red, the model exudes confidence and defiance, a theme often present amongst Shields' subjects.
The vibrant spectrum of red emerges as a potent symbol—a thread that weaves its way through diverse narratives of passion, power, and rebellion, synonymous with Shields' work today.
March 5, 2024
