In 1993, Philadelphia creative Tony Ward had an epiphany, one that moved him from his financially rewarding role as a corporate product photographer into the racier aesthetic of erotica, one that revealed a destiny to explore elements of life that are indivisibly linked to humanity. Like Alfred Kinsey, the legendary investigator of human sexuality, Ward was happily driven into the exploration of sex in its innumerable manifestations (fortunately with a prominent money patron, Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse) with Ward free to create a (mostly) black and white look at bending, twisting bodies in every manner of libidinous undress and activity. Making his bones with this grainy, B&W look at sex and sexuality, Ward brought that vibe to everything he touched – be it fashion photos or portraiture – in what was a Helmut Newton-esque look at the world around him.
It was as if everything he touched held tactile, sensuous pleasure points at every juncture.
Along with becoming a celebrated fixture of glossy, high-minded photography involving alternative lifestyles, graphic sexuality, and, in the case of his monograph, “Obsessions,” local faces and bodies, Ward became a teacher of photography courses at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design.
Times are different now, and Ward has crafted more PG-rated exhibitions (such as 2017’s “Persistence of Seduction,” at the Jed Williams Gallery in Bella Vista). But starting on October 6 at the Prism Arts Philadelphia gallery at 1021 Hamilton Street, Tony Ward will harken back to the decade that made his name with Obsessions: 1993-1998.
“Thirty years ago in 1993. I embarked on a new body of work that explored our rights in America to freedom of expression,” said Ward this morning, adding finishing touches to this night’s exhibition’s opening fete. “My subjects were from all walks of life, from various races, religious backgrounds, and sexual persuasions. This melting pot that stubbornly defines America formed the palette of a series of black and white photographs that defined an era. What was that era? It was the time in which sexual freedom and multiculturalism was on the rise.”
Ask Ward if he could get away with such bold declarations of free sexuality in this, a time of radical political correctness and sad, sleepy wokeness, and his answer is not surprising.
“Unfortunately, in these times there are certain bigoted elements of our society that continue to attempt to roll back the hands of time – sadly,” he said. “Fascism in America is on the rise. Obsessions as a body of work reminds us of what we once were and still are, a free and open society in which each individual American is free to choose and be who they are.”
Enjoy Tony Ward’s Obsessions while you can – at least until October 27.
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