“Outback”
Photography by Paul Freeman
Published by Paul Freeman (Cowboy Mouth Publishing), Sydney, Australia, 2008
First Edition, First Printing
Hardcover with Jacket | Sealed Under Publisher’s Wraps
FROM THE PUBLISHER
This first part of a new series Outback by Paul Freeman is set far away from Bondi’s shores under a mighty Australian sky on a vast property filled with drovers, farm-hands shearers and cowboys, working and at play.
This extraordinary body of work, set in a variously tough and gorgeously colored landscape, often evokes Australia’s pioneering past with sepia toning, ageing of images and a carefully controlled color palette of muted burnt yellows and reds reminiscent both of nineteenth century Australian impressionism and of early hand-painted photos. The collection has a ‘boys own adventure’ feel which those annual compendiums of ripping yarns might have had in the 1920’s and ‘30s. The qualities displayed by the men on these pages were as current a hundred years ago as they are now. Even the more obviously contemporary images are nostalgic, shot as they are in and around weathered timber farm buildings and parched fields littered with rusted old vehicles. Everything is worn but staunch and durable complimenting and contrasting the wonderfully varied and astounding array of manhood portrayed.
For Alasdair Forster, curator of the world-renowned Australian Centre for Photography, “The images in the ‘Outback’ series reveal [Paul’s] understanding that the erotic lives within the individual not the stereotype; that strength lies in embracing one’s vulnerability as much as exercising one’s power; and that the child abides within the man. Playful, candid and sexy, these men epitomize a spirit of outback Australia that fuses larrikin fantasy with moments of introspection that create a subtle counterpoint with the rugged beauty of the land.”
Scenes of mates cavorting naked in outback creeks lends a ‘Bear Pond’ flavor to an Outback Currawong Creek filled with drovers, farm-hands and cowboys, working and at play, a wonderful array of uniquely beautiful men in a breathtakingly beautiful country, transformed again by Freeman into a timeless romantic world of photographic art.
” I think it’s brilliant. I’m quite moved by the images” says Andrew Creagh, DNA Magazine’s editor. “I remember going to see [the Australian movie] Sunday Too Far Away with my family at the drive-in! I was very young. I was born in the wheat belt of Western Australia so a lot of those shearing sheds and shearers huts are familiar to me; the red dust, the sheep dog, the old Utes. Unfortunately, I was too young to have encountered any hot shearers, but I reckon that if we’d stayed in the country… The shoots are really well integrated– some very clever images (the impressionist shot through the muddy windscreen) and some hot guys. But mostly, it’s so evocative. I hope Paul is proud of it. It’s great work! I think he’s taken it to another level, and I don’t think anyone’s done anything like it. Yay!”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Best known for his series of photographic monographs on the nude male, Paul Freeman's nude portraits of sports stars, Olympians and actors appeared between 1995 and 2005 in Studio Magazines' '(not only) Black And White', '(not only) Sport' and 'Blue', and in their books The Sydney Dream (2000), 'The Athen's Dream' (2004), and 'Sportsbook' (2003). In 1996 Paul wrote the best-selling biography of footballer Ian Roberts, ('Ian Roberts: Finding Out', Random House 1997).
His first monograph, 'Bondi Classic', was published to critical acclaim in 2003, and was followed by 'Bondi Urban' (2005), 'Bondi Work' (2006) and 'Bondi Road' (2007). This best-selling series, which takes its' name from Sydney's most iconic suburban beach, observes the contemporary young Australian urban male at home, at work and at play.
Equally successful has been Paul's Outback Series, which uses the Australian bush and its' changing moods to explore Paul's male aesthetic, and to style and weather his subjects, varying thematic focus in each of 'Outback' (2008) ,'Outback Currawong Creek' (2009) , 'Outback Brumby' (2010), and 'Outback Bushmen' (2012), Then, Heroics, Heroics 2, Outback Dusk, and recently Larrikin Yakka, and finally Larrikin have been released, with the order not sequential, except for the last two titles. His 2011, and 2013 books 'Heroics' and 'Heroics II' are an exploration of the neo-classic nude male referencing sculpture and painting in Western European art, and even surrealist film interpretations. This work comments on attitudes to the naked male in public and art by juxtaposing our collective artistic heritage with contemporary reality and male physiques. He has a university degree in Arts and studied photography at the Australian Centre For Photography in Sydney. The New York Times art critic Robert Hughes' featured Paul's work in his 2000 documentary series Australia: Beyond the Fatal Shore.
ABOUT THE STORE
“pride-photobooks” is a new ID supporting a new Brand. I have a primary ID called "top-choice-books" with over 6,200 5-star positive ratings, with no negative feedback, so you can begin to trust my identity and knowledge of selling publications and books. I am a bookseller/photographer and have been for over twenty years. Under “pride-photobooks” I will promote LGBTQ publications, Studio Magazines (not only) Blue and Black & White publications, and A&F publications, and the entire run of the Bruce Weber era - and beyond
SUMMARY
Outback is a hardcover volume with a pictorial illustrated thick pressed paper/cloth coverboard, and pictorial dust jacket, as issued. NOTE (1): Several Booksellers are published saying there is no dust jacket for this title – but unless I am hallucinating, MY book for sale under shrinkwrap most definitely HAS an illustrated dust jacket. Just another reason the Buyer HAS TO be aware of whom they purchase from. Misinformation is a terrible thing and inexcusable for a bookseller when describing a book at the level of whether a title has a dust jacket, or not…
Outback is a full-size title that measures 13 x 10 ½ inches (33 x 27 cm) and contains 192 pages of black and white, color, and sepia toned full bleed and bordered illustrations arranged on the pages (if Freeman follows his schema of past books layouts). Shipping weight is 4 lbs. 8 oz (2.1 Kg). All the pages are unpaginated (maybe). Outback is offered in As New/near Mint condition and uncommonly still under Publisher’s shrink protective wrap. This First Edition from 2008 is extremely well preserved and has been sleeved since we received it. There are some defects to note: There are two scratches on the back dust cover, one of which is deep enough to feel, one to only see. There is breakthrough in the shrinkwrap on the edges of the title which has resulted in some wear and tear to the corners and base of the spine. All of these are still in the minor category, as they are superficial in nature, but bear noting. There is also a small bump/crease in the front upper right corner as received from the Publisher which does not appear to affect the pages in the title. The price of the title has been adjusted for these defects, and the grade decreased to near Mint from Mint. Maybe I should have gone further, but you can make an appeal of the price. The beauty of the photography is classical, not porn, so if that’s is what you are seeking, this title is not for you. This title sold out quickly and copies in this auction represented condition are extremely scarce. As I only have sealed copies of Outback in inventory, I can only use the covers as auction pictures. But with the other actions I have ongoing with open illustrations you can get the idea of Freeman’s outstanding gay photographic projects and portfolios. Only one copy of Outback will be made available for auction at this time.
I use a professional shipper for all packages, so you can be sure what you purchase will arrive in the condition it is represented at sale. I should note that our copies of Outback have been stored in a clean air environment with temperature and humidity controlled since acquisition. They have NEVER been previously owned. Please ask questions about his title BEFORE you purchase as stated in the auction. The authenticity and legitimacy of this title is guaranteed.
PAYMENT DETAILS
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As always, if you have any questions about this item or this auction, please contact me BEFORE you purchase this item. All sales must be final given the sealed condition of this title. If something happens to the book in transit, or if the book does not match the stated condition in this auction, then I will accept returns. If "sealed" then cannot return as unsealed. Photograph or save shipping box if claiming transit issues. Photograph damages if claiming damage not referenced in the auction. The book cannot be returned if damaged after you have received your title. Legitimacy of this title and artist signature(s) (if applicable) is assured.