I owe my career to two people. The first, Frank Young, a wonderful artist, was the initial and then the only person who not only thought I had talent but who also pushed me to act on it. He continues to encourage me to be daring.
The second, Philip Perkis, an incredibly gifted photographer and an extraordinary teacher, was the instructor who told me to photograph in bed. Had he not made that suggestion (and he has no recollection of it), I would never have had the career— and the life-- that I have. It’s turned out to be been far more interesting, varied and stimulating than I ever imagined.
I get a lot of inspiration going to galleries, museums, and movies; reading; and talking with people whose opinions I value about art, politics, films, books, food, and the embarrassing TV shows we all secretly watch. Absolutely and of course traveling. And just fumbling and roaming around. I try to stay fresh by being open to surprise.
I’ve been lucky enough to do my own work and to primarily support it by teaching photography at some really good art schools (my most lasting affiliation is with the School of Visual Arts in New York City where I teach in the BFA Photography and Graphic Design & Advertising Departments. I also run SVA’s summer Photography Workshop in Shanghai). Though, like all artists, juggling time is its own kind of talent.
I also sometimes shoot for the Eva Hesse and Dieter Roth estates; it’s wonderful to be able to study the work of such great artists at such close range and to truly learn something while working.
Oh, and I write. I wrote a novel called The Dick and Jane based on my experiences working with the detective. Then I did some magazine writing, often accompanied by my photographs. My first article was on horse racing. After that, I wound up doing a lot of oddball pieces (what to look for in a condom, how products got their names), mostly about food: for example, an article on how restaurant doggie bags have changed now that people eat less meat, or explorations of strange food professions (Chocolate Texture Testers, Baby Food Tasters). Plus I ran away with the Moscow Circus for the New York Times, hanging out with the Cossack horse troupe to get the recipes they made backstage. Most recently I’ve been writing on photography; I did a few pieces on Vietnamese photography for Asian Art News and am currently a contributing editor for the online Trans Asia Photo Review.
The "earning a living/making enough time for your own work" conundrum is always a challenge and involves making tricky trade-offs. Even lousy jobs and experiences can provide ideas and information (though not always right away). And it really, truly helps to have a sense of humor.
For the future I plan to do a book of my self-portraits. Line up venues all over the world in which to do Home/Body Imaging. Start a new series that really engages and intrigues me. Have my work in more exhibitions and museum collections.
I was once asked what reaction I hoped for from those who view my work and I still think the answer is Stendhal Syndrome.