“Like a sculptor, Armstrong has pared away all but the figure, letting it fly or fall or struggle. Removing extraneous detail, he gives it new life. Armstrong breathes into the darkness to reveal the shadow of man against the light, the classic tale as well as the essence of photography.”
W.M. Hunt, ‘Shadow in the Sun’
Renaissance
Renaissance is a portfolio of photographs in the ongoing Infinity series: an extensive body of work begun in 1997. They are made using a unique process of photographing found images extremely out of focus, with the lens set at infinity. In this case, the source materials are reworked master drawings, mostly from the Renaissance. The multi-layered process of reproduction and blurring, appropriating an image and subjecting it to a series of manipulations (photocopying, cutting, painting, re-photographing) transforms the original images, giving them a new meaning in a new context - a renaissance of the Renaissance.
Renaissance #1001, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1002, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1003, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1004, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1005, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1006, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1007, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1008, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1009, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1010, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1011, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1013, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1014, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1015, 2006-2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance #1051, 2010 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1043, 2010 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1053, 2010 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1056, 2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1024, 2007 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Renaissance # 1016, 2010 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir
“Film Noir” revisits the themes of the classic black-and-white films of the 40s and 50s, but with the lush, saturated colors for which Bill Armstrong is known. The solitary figures contemplating the unknown reference the ethical and philosophical dilemmas laid out in those stories. Armstrong’s mysterious images remain unresolved, however, hinting at the increased uncertainties of the contemporary viewpoint.
Film Noir # 1414, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1412, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1402, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1403, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1408, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1420, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1405, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Film Noir # 1433, 2011-2012 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
After: Dreaming in Color
'In After: Dreaming in Color, I imagine the history of photography as if in a dream, making color interventions into iconic 19th century photographs.
After Francis Frith Pyramid, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
After Roger Fenton, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
After Gustave LeGray, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures
Figures is part of Armstrong's Infinity series, which he explains, "includes a wide range of portfolios, from figurative to abstract, that are made using my unique process of photographing found images extremely out of focus with the camera’s focusing ring set at infinity."
Figures #74, 2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #70, 2003 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #75, 2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #77, 2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #11, 1998-2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #06, 2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #71, 2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figure #65, 1998-2004 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Figures #75, 2004 by Artworks
Figures #76, 2004 by Artworks
Figures #86, 2004 by Artworks
Unfixed
The images in Unfixed are not taken from the real world, as they may appear, but are made by re-photographing appropriated images, in this case photographs of Italian architecture.
Unfixed #1606, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
Unfixed #1604, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
Unfixed #1603, 2016 by Artworks
Archival inkjet print
50.8 x 40.6 cm (Edition of 8) / 76.2 x 61 cm (Edition of 7) / 142.2 x 106.7 cm (Edition of 5)
Unspoken
Unspoken #1511, 2016 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Unspoken #1500, 2016 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Unspoken #1508 by Artworks
C-print, mounted to aluminium
50.8 x 61 cm (Edition of 10) / 76.2 x 91.4 cm (Edition of 5) / 101.5 x 122 cm (Edition of 5)
Partial Appearances
Partial Appearances is a meditation on self, identity and the psychological state of being in-between that reflects the transitional nature of contemporary life. Appearances may or may not be real, and half-truths are often the best one can hope for. Identity, itself, is in question as the shift from the real to the “cyber” leaves the individual in a state of flux. At the same time, once fixed ideas about gender have become fluid and open.
Partial Appearances #1738, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)
Partial Appearances #1705, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)
Partial Appearances #1704, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)
Partial Appearances #1722, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)
Partial Appearances #1703, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)
Partial Appearances #1714, 2017 by Artworks
C-print
50.8 x 61 cm / 20 x 24 inches (available in more sizes)