Biography joel peter witkin

American photographer

Joel-Peter Witkin (born September 13, 1939) is an American photographer who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

His work often deals with themes such as death, corpses (and sometimes dismembered portions thereof), often featuring ornately decorated photographic models, including people with dwarfism, transgender and intersex persons, as well as people living with a range of physical features.

Witkin is often praised for presenting these figures in poses which celebrate and honor their physiques in an elevated, artistic manner.

Biography joel peter witkin photographs

Witkin's complex tableaux vivants often recall religious episodes or classical paintings.^[1]

Biography

Witkin was born to a Jewish father and Roman Catholic mother. His twin brother, Jerome Witkin,^[2] and son Kersen Witkin, are also painters.

Witkin's parents divorced when he was young because they were unable to overcome their religious differences. ^[2] He attended grammar school