Bath Film Festival 2008

Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe

Sam Wagstaff was the most important collector of photography of the last century. His fascination grew at the same time as his intimacy with renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe developed. Wagstaff bought Mapplethorpe his first camera and helped establish him in the 1970s New York art scene, creating the man whose infamous images were denounced as ‘obscene and indecent’ by some and admired by others. In turn Mapplethorpe introduced Wagstaff to the world of gay S&M clubs and drugs. The film contains iconic images from Wagstaff ’s collection as well as archive footage of the period. Introduced by Philippe Garner, International Head of Photographs at Christies who knew them both and was one of the first to recognise Mapplethorpe’s significance. AC

Nb: this film contains very graphic material.

Submit your comments

Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Security Code: