Look Who it Was Random video

CLAMPART - ARTIST: Luke Smalley

551 views · Published 4 April 2015 · 7:07 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: NYC GALLERY OPENINGS · 2015 · Entertainment

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April 2 – May 9, 2015

Artist’s reception:
Thursday, April 2, 2015
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

ClampArt is proud to present a retrospective 
exhibition of photographs by Luke Smalley 
(1955-2009). At the age of 53, Smalley passed away 
far too young, but he left behind three major 
bodies of work, in addition to four impressive 
monographs. The show at ClampArt will include 
examples from Smalley’s first black-and-white 
series, “Gymnasium,” in addition to his two color 
collections—“Exercise at Home” and “Sunday 
Drive.”

All of Luke Smalley’s work pairs what has been 
called “a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro 
nostalgia.” Many early images were inspired by 
yearbooks and fitness manuals from the 
beginning of the 20th century.

After completing a degree at Pepperdine 
University—tellingly, in sports medicine—Smalley 
became increasingly interested in fine art (while 
earning money from modeling and working as a 
personal trainer). Ian Hannett writes: “He soon 
created a short film based on male swimmers, 
which he took unannounced to [the book 
publisher] Jack Woody sometime in the early 
1980s. Woody’s company, Twin Palms 
Publishers/Twelvetrees Press, then located in 
Pasadena, had recently printed a monograph for 
artist Bruce Weber, to which Smalley strongly 
related and greatly admired. Smalley was a quiet, 
relaxed individual who was easy to be around, and 
he and Woody soon struck up a casual friendship. 
Woody began taking the young artist to various 
Hollywood parties where he met many celebrities 
of the day, including people such as Herb Ritts, 
who also would serve as later inspiration.”

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