Deborah Turbeville

Turbeville, D. (2009). Past imperfect. Göttingen: Steidl.

Deborah Turbeville (1932 - 2013) was one of Francesca Woodman’s inspirations. She is an American fashion photographer whose images reflected a dreamy and mysterious female gaze. She is often referred to as a photographer who transformed fashion photography into avant-garde art.

After Woodman’s death in 1981, Woodman’s parents found an unsent letter from Woodman to Turbeville applying for the role of her studio assistant. I believe that Turbeville’s inspiration is clearly found in Woodman’s work. It is shown in Woodman’s sensitive and deliberate use of fashion, clothing and settings within her work; often using vintage items of clothing to give an uncanny air to her images.

Quotes

“It is typical of my way of thinking and working to prefer a work in progress...open-ended visual narratives rather than completed scripts, set pieces...In this way I can play with different elements ... place-light-time-space-texture-emotion (facial expression) -movement ... Endless possibilities suggesting allusive stories that take you somewhere yet remain incomplete... a bit like fragmented dreams.” Pg 6

“I could only watch - powerless to act.” Pg 10