RALPH GIBSON • VERTICAL HORIZON

GALERIE THIERRY BIGAIGNON
10 JUNE - 27 AUGUST 2016

On the occasion of the opening of the Galerie Thierry Bigaignon, Ralph Gibson presents an all-new series of photographs entitled "Vertical Horizon", in a compelling departure from the black-and-white images for which he is celebrated.

Seventeen years after the retrospective dedicated to his work at Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, and five years after his last exhibition in the city, Ralph Gibson returns to the French capital with a selection of 12 never-before-seen colour prints. Primarily known for his high-contrast monochrome photographs, the famous American photographer has been exploring colour since the advent of digital photography.

At 77, Ralph Gibson is still vividly exploring the particularities that built his identity as a photographer – and this new technology provides an intuitive extension of his approach focussing on the balance between representation and abstraction. More than ever, Ralph Gibson immaculately defines the structure of his images and plays on oppositions. The delicate boundary between lines and volumes gives rise to a tension at the very centre of the frame, enhanced by the portrait format of his photographs. As Thierry Bigaignon explains, "Ralph Gibson's images highlight the idea of boundaries and opposition. They’re visual oxymorons, so we decided to title the exhibition Vertical Horizon, which perfectly encapsulates these concepts".

Gilles Mora, the eminent art historian and critic specialising in American photography, had the privilege of previewing Ralph Gibson's series and has nothing but praise for this artist and his unique take on the world around him: "Ralph Gibson is without doubt the most European of American photographers, and knows our culture perfectly. His mastery of composition, halfway between graphic artwork and abstraction, has never precluded the sensuality which is the particular trademark of his photographs. It is time to rediscover Ralph Gibson."

The date of this inaugural exhibition is highly symbolic, as it takes place exactly 41 years to the day since French art dealer Agathe Gaillard chose to inaugurate her own photography gallery in Paris by exhibiting the work of Ralph Gibson for her opening on 10 June, 1975. Agathe Gaillard will be supporting the inaugural exhibition, making it a major venue for collectors, amateurs and photography enthusiasts.