Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus was born on March 14, 1923, in New York City, USA. She was born into a wealthy Jewish family, her parents being David Nemerov and Gertrude Russek Nemerov. Due to her family's affluence, she grew up in an artistic and political environment. Diane later became one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, known for her portrayal of marginalized groups and individuals.

In 1950, Diane Arbus decided to seriously pursue photography as her career. Together with her husband Allan Arbus, who was a photographer, she began working in fashion photography. They contributed to several fashion magazines, with Allan primarily handling the technical aspects and Diane focusing on art direction. This early exposure laid the foundation for her future work in documentary photography.

In 1962, Diane Arbus began studying with Lisette Model at the New School in New York. Lisette Model was a significant influence on Arbus, encouraging her to be bold in her choice of subjects and composition. This mentorship was crucial in developing Arbus's distinctive style, characterized by her stark black-and-white portraits of individuals on the fringes of society.

In September 1967, Diane Arbus's photographs were featured in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The exhibition was entitled 'New Documents' and was shared with photographers Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander. This exhibition was a pivotal moment in Arbus's career, as it brought her work to a wider audience and solidified her reputation as an important contemporary photographer.

Diane Arbus passed away on July 26, 1971, in New York City from suicide. Her death marked the tragic end of her influential career. Despite her relatively short life, Arbus left behind a powerful legacy through her evocative and often controversial photographic work, which continued to impact generations of artists and photographers after her passing.

In November 1972, the Museum of Modern Art in New York held a major retrospective of Diane Arbus's work, marking the first time a posthumous exhibition was dedicated to a woman photographer at the museum. Organized by John Szarkowski, the exhibition solidified Arbus's legacy in the art world and showcased her compelling portraits to new audiences. The retrospective was incredibly successful and further cemented her status as a pivotal figure in photography.

On August 17, 2003, 'Diane Arbus: Revelations' was published. This comprehensive monograph was a pivotal release, featuring many of Arbus's photographs and providing insight into her life and work. The book was critically acclaimed, offering readers a deeper understanding of her artistic journey and the themes she explored through her photography.

In September 2006, the film 'Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus' was released, starring Nicole Kidman as Diane Arbus. The film, while not a straightforward biography, presents an imagined version of Arbus's life and creative journey. It explores the complex world she was drawn to in her photography, portraying her artistic explorations and the emotional depth of her subjects.

In 2016, an exhibition detailing the early works of Diane Arbus was held at the Met Breuer in New York. The exhibition, titled 'Diane Arbus: In the Beginning,' showcased her work from 1956 to 1962. It included many early photographs that demonstrated Arbus's evolving style and her engagement with subjects on the margins of society. With over 100 photographs, it offered visitors insight into the formative period of her career.

In March 2018, the influence of Diane Arbus on contemporary photography was the subject of a panel discussion during the Photo London conference at Sotheby's. The discussion examined how Arbus's work continues to inspire photographers and how her unique approach to capturing the identity and complexity of her subjects has left a lasting mark on the field. Experts shared insights into her enduring legacy, which continues to challenge and enrich artistic expression.