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Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Cuban

In an age where digital photography reigns supreme, José Picayo makes no apologies for his commitment to Polaroid film. “Digital is so overpoweringly real,” he told Musée magazine. “Photography is more magical to me.” With Polaroid film, Picayo explains he can capture his evocative portraits, still-lifes and landscapes “as they are — a moment in time.”  

Born in 1959 in Havana, Picayo left Cuba with his family in 1966, moving to Puerto Rico. In 1975, they settled in Kent, Ohio, where he completed high school and attended Kent State University for two years. By 1981, Picayo moved to New York City and graduated with a BFA from Parsons School of Design in 1983.

For the next few years, Picayo assisted several photographers before he began his career as a commercial photographer in 1987. During this time, he worked for several publications, including Italian magazines Sassy, Taxi and Connoisseur. Picayo also moonlighted as a teacher during the 1990s, teaching photography at his alma mater and Manhattan’s International Center of Photography.

Despite the introduction of digital photography in the late 20th century, Picayo has remained loyal to film photography, preferring to shoot with Polaroid film. The 8 x 10 images are then printed on Japanese paper, which lends visual texture and a timeworn quality to his black and white and color photos. While he is well known for his fashion photography, Picayo credits several influential photographers for their impact on his creative works. These include Eugène Atget, Edward S. Curtis, Michael Disfarmer, Walker Evans and Torkil Gudnason. 

Picayo has exhibited extensively in both solo and group shows throughout the US, including the Robin Rice Gallery in New York City and the Erie Art Museum in Pennsylvania. His works have appeared in numerous publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, L.A. Style, the New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Rolling Stone and more.

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Artist: Jose Picayo
"Untitled (Boys on Shoulders)", New York, NY, 1995
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to announce, 25 Years of Polaroids, a new exhibit by Jose ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Detour Magazine, Teresa Feathers", New York, NY, 1991
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. Framing is available . 11" X 14" Edition of 25. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to annou...
Category

1990s Contemporary Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Tortoise", Joshua Tree, California, 2005
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to announce, 25 Years of Polaroids, a new exhibit by Jose ...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Domino Magazine - Necklace, New York, NY, 1988
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
Each year, Robin Rice celebrates a Salon style exhibition to showcase her gallery artists and invite new ones. With Robin’s extensive experience as a gallery curator, all Robin Rice...
Category

1980s Modern Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Domino Magazine, Necklace, New York, NY, 1988
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
The Robin Rice Gallery proudly announces SUMMERTIME Salon 2019, an annual photography exhibit featuring gallery artists as well as a few newcomers. This year’s opening reception will be held on Wednesday, July 17th from 6pm - 8 PM, the show will be on view until September 22, 2019. Rice has brought together the works of 60 gallery artists and nearly a hundred photographs for this salon-style exhibition. From floor to ceiling, the walls of the gallery are a mosaic of various size photographs in sepia, color and black & white, expertly hung to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. “This is my favorite exhibition even though it takes months to curate and a week to install,” says Rice. “I love the moment when a viewer is first drawn to an image. Sometimes in’s indefinable; a moment when the viewer not only shares but reconnects to an experience remembered.” Each year, the Summertime Salon matures and Rice’s annual masterpiece is revealed to showcase an exhibition stronger than the year before. Rice has a close relationship with the works of her photographers, and strategically curates the show to best exemplify the artists’ strengths, remaining cohesively linked by Rice’s aesthetic. fashion, women, jewelry, portrait...
Category

1980s Contemporary Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Derek #1
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition 1 of 25. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is p...
Category

1990s Jose Picayo Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Derek #1
Price Upon Request
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Jose Picayo figurative photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jose Picayo figurative photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jose Picayo in paper, photographic paper, pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Jose Picayo figurative photography, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Pipo Nguyen-Duy, Frances F. Denny, and Ariel Shelleg. Jose Picayo figurative photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $1,750, while the average work can sell for $1,750.

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