In this show Justin Cooper presents a collection of twelve diptychs arched on the duality between the fetishist beauty of the Chinese visage coupled with gripping and idyllic skyscapes. The combination of these juxtaposed images, shot in Beijing, lends the imaginary and contemplative world of one frame to the other, guiding the viewer into a dreamlike visual. These photographic diptychs echo the medium of Advertising DPS (Double Page Spread) as Cooper combines art with pseudo-advertisement.

Adding to the delicate faces featured in these diptychs is a collaboration with make-up artist Xue Song who reproduces traditional Chinese paintings through his imaginative strokes, transforming model into canvas. Ultimately, they are rendered intimate and inspirational without forcing the notion that a conventional product is being sold; instead they are contemporary muses that sell the concept of emotion and thought. Sometimes wistful and vacant, other times seductive and determined. 

The titles of the work suggests contemplation of diversity and pays homage to nature. Justin Cooper is a Tasmanian-born photographer whose visual vocabulary stems from his youth in isolated and pristine natural environments. His professional career as a photographer gravitated to the world of fashion magazines and advertising, ultimately specialising in cosmetic photography.

*image (left)
© Joyce Gallery