Bondi Classic

by Paul Freeman

This is the first solo photo book by Australian photographer Paul Freeman. 'Blue' magazine's favorite photographer for many years, Freeman is also known for authoring the best-selling biography of Ian Roberts ('Ian Roberts: Finding Out', Random House, Australia 1997).

'Bondi Classic' stands out in a publishing genre filled, of late, with thoughtless compilations. It's a sumptuous 240-page hardbound, with beautiful production values and design, and exquisite photography. It's the first in a self-published series of 'coffee table' collectibles by Freeman's.

A tribute to the Australian hero, Bondi Classic responds to a strong international demand for a book of Freeman's art nude portraiture. With remarkable talent Freeman gives us a sensual yet respectful look at a vast and varied array of Aussie men, including some of Australia's top actors, models, sports stars and Olympians. (Captured champion iron men, Princess Diana's personal trainer, mister Australia body building champions, actors from international theatre and film, television soap heart-throbs, top pro footballers, Olympic boxers, divers and wrestlers, and an Australian Man Of The Year!)

Using classic and European religious art references, often within an ancient and moody Sydney coastal environment, Bondi Classic takes us on an epic of unabashed male physicality. Maintaining a reverential distance from his subjects, Freeman's story revels in the paradoxes of masculinity. His subjects are strong yet sensual, courageous while provocative, violent and divinely innocent.

Director of the internationally- acclaimed Sydney Festival, Brett Sheehy, gave the book a rave review when he launched it in Sydney in February 2004. Sheehy referred to Freeman as a new Bruce Weber, as well as Australia's own Renaissance man.

235 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Best known for his series of photographic monographs on the nude male, Paul Freeman's nude portraits of sports stars, Olympians and actors appeared between 1995 and 2005 in Studio Magazines' '(not only) Black And White', '(not only) Sport' and 'Blue', and in their books The Sydney Dream (2000), 'The Athen's Dream' (2004), and 'Sportbook' (2003)
In 1996 Paul wrote the best-selling biography of footballer Ian Roberts, ('Ian Roberts: Finding Out', Random House 1997).
His first monograph, 'Bondi Classic', was published to critical acclaim in 2003, and was followed by 'Bondi Urban' (2005), 'Bondi Work' (2006) and 'Bondi Road' (2007). This best-selling series, which takes its' name from Sydney's most iconic suburban beach, observes the contemporary young Australian urban male at home, at work and at play.
Equally successful has been Paul's Outback series, which uses the Australian bush and its' changing moods to explore Paul's male aesthetic, and to style and weather his subjects, varying thematic focus in each of 'Outback' ( 2008) ,' Outback Currawong Creek' (2009) , 'Outback Brumby' (2010), and 'Outback Bushmen' (2012).' Outback Dusk' has just been released.
His 2011 and 2013 books 'Heroics' and' Heroics II' are an exploration of the neo-classic nude male referencing sculpture and painting in Western European art, and even surrealist film interpretations. This work comments on attitudes to the naked male in public and art by juxtaposing our collective artistic heritage with contemporary reality and male physiques.
Many of Paul's books are available from Amazon.
Paul has made his mark in fashion and advertising, with international awards, from Cannes Lions to Clios, to his name.
He has a university degree in Arts, and studied photography at the Australian Centre For Photography in Sydney.
The New York Times art critic Robert Hughes' featured Paul's work in his 2000 documentary series Australia: Beyond The Fatal Shore.
Please go to paulfreeman.com.au for more information.

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Paul Freeman!




5 stars

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.