Robert Sturman’s collection of hand-altered Polaroids captures the spirit of peace and strength in masculinity.
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Between 2005 and 2009, I made over 1000 hand-altered Polaroids celebrating a poetic flowering of the West coast yoga tribe. This post is devoted to some of the men who stepped forward and offered up a pose and allowed themselves to be seen.
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Learn more about this unique process of photography right here.
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Originally appeared at Elephant Journal
About Robert Sturman: A dedicated yoga practitioner himself, Sturman’s work has increasingly focused on capturing the timeless grace and embodied mindfulness of asana. His portraits, whether set in the lively streets of Manhattan, the expansiveness of Malibu’s beaches and canyons, the timeless elegance of Walden’s New England, or the bleakness of San Quentin Prison, remind us that there is beauty everywhere. In Sturman’s own words “I often think of Rumi: ‘I can’t stop pointing to the beauty.’ That feels right to me.” …… Excerpt from Dearbhla Kelly’s article: Intoxicated With Beauty—Portrait of an Artist’s Soul.
Wow. Stunning portraits, Robert. It’s refreshing to see less “macho” portraits of masculine strength – portraits that capture the strength and gentleness, as you say. Well done.
Looks a little like more unrealistic expectations of men! P^) I tried a Vinnie Marino and ended up in the Emergency room.
Pity that the artist was not looked at closer – given that his whole portfolio of work contains such gems a Prison Yoga, which in so many ways goes back to the un-sexy roots of where this place came from. Unrealistic sells and reality pays the price again.
Instead of looking at it in the negative, MH, you could reframe it and realize that every day we look at celebrity and athlete bodies – and see that these guys are doing something different. We can then be grateful to see a bit of diversity in masculinity as exemplified here. I think Robert’s collection here is beautiful. A diverse group of men who are bonded together by yoga, different men with different interests and personalities, all strong in a quiet way that doesn’t beg to be on a poster in some kid’s room. A masculinity founded on a quiet… Read more »
Joanna – I’m the queer guy with the roving eye…. remember P^)
I have no issue with interesting forms of men, and you aint seen my etchings. But content is not just about aesthetics it normally is kept on message. It’s easy to look at cutsy images and miss the deeper message – which is why I have pointed to the “Prison Collection” – which chimes with the origins of this site and make you have to think about The Goodness issues and not get distracted by some Abs and Glutes!