Museum of Modern Art: ‘The Esther Grouping’


Known as ‘The Esther Grouping’, this series of work was recently put on display in MOMA’s photography collection. Infusing the seductive language of film and advertising with a touch of sly conceptualism, the works explore the relationship between straight and constructed photograph, image and picture. Each work is followed by a professional critique.

This photo contains an unresolved tension between the mechanical, scientific tool of the camera and the natural desire to use it for the creation of beautiful images. Essentially, the term fine art photography is used to refer work created with such a desire in mind, to articulate an impression, a feeling about, or relationship with the world.
Cascaded Ruin

“This photo portrays the unresolved tension of the camera as it is both a mechanical and scientific too. Within it, the natural desire to use it for ideological hero worship and the perpetuation of a ‘myth’ based reality.” Evan Walters, photographer ‘Monde du Suite’ Magazine.

Hyperbolic Symbiotic

“It is a treatise on restraint and desire. Within each pixel is the motivation to escape, but the wherewithal to hold on to safety; to be bound within ourselves. Chamber of secrets? I say NAY! Chamber or secrets.” Emily Mika Constantine, ‘On Using A Camera’.

The Fables of Time

“Chaste. Hidden. Remarkable in its contrast, ‘The Fables of Time’ shows us what we do not wish to see, but what we already know. As if magic had a baby with the future.” Enrique, ‘Inside the Photographer’ Random House 1987.

Changed Destiny

“The face of a hero? I say this is the face of heroes. As subtle as a hidden whisper, this photo is all thriller, no filling. I will never be held the same way again.” Stephen Andronicus Marx-Hurley-Winthrop, The Drayton Valley Examiner.

Mirror Envy Cipher

“When asked the question ‘who are we?’ by my students I tend to refer to Mirror Envy Cipher. This photo is a journey into the soul of the mind if the mind were a lost and scared Andalusian Stallion. Who are we? Well, who we aren’t of course.” Prof. Maj. Gen. Sonja Folksman, 13th Batallion, Photography Division.

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