Bob Seidemann

The photographer to Bruce Bard, San Francisco

In the 1960s, photographer Bob Seidemann created iconic images of the popular revolutionary culture, including nudes of Janis Joplin and the controversial album cover for Eric Clapton’s recording Blind Faith (1969). After being introduced to BDSM culture in the 1990s, he created the present series, Unspeakable Beauty. Seidemann attended 'scenes' and with consent and participation from members of the BDSM community, he recreated the environment of roleplaying and bondage in his studio. Of the series, Seidemann wrote, ‘This work explores the psychosexual undercurrents in society during the last decade of the twentieth century using a particular vocabulary of imagery seen in American popular culture.’ Although Seidemann produced editioned prints from Unspeakable Beauty, the series was never officially marketed during his lifetime. These 46 photographs come from the collection of the late Bruce Bard, a California-based patron of artists.