1. Presentation by Tyler Mills, Ph.D.
Ralph Eugene Meatyard
Presentation by Tyler Mills, Ph.D.

2. Biography
Born in the spring of 1925, Normal, Illinois.
Joined the Navy after high school, and later went on to attend Williams College to study pre-dentistry starting in 1943, then Wesleyan University in 1950 to study philosophy.
He then moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he spent most of his life.
Purchased a camera following the birth of his first son, and from then on became increasingly interested in photography.
Posted exhibitions of his own work and the work of others in the optician’s office he had established.
Enjoyed books, Zen, and Jazz

3. Childhood
Normal, Illinois in the 1920’s was likely a pretty quiet place, and Meatyard’s early childhood has been described as “ordinary”
As a young boy, there were no indications that his future interests would include artistic photography

4. Style of Photography: surreal
Meatyard is known for his portraits of people in goulash masks. These photos are intentionally enigmatic, black and white, and often eerie; Meatyard believed that masks had the power to dissolve the differences between people. He also took photos of plant life and nature. Excessive shutter slowness was sometimes utilized in his shots, and many of them were close-ups, as well.

5. Ambrose Bierce, 1964. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy Fraenkel Gallery.

6. Lite Sound [from Portraits of Self], 1959 gelatin-silver print, 6-3/4 x 7-1/2 inches (image & sheet)

7. Untitled, 1963 gelatin-silver print, 6- x 6-1/2 inches (image)

8. Untitled, ca. 1968-72 gelatin-silver print, 6-3/8 x 6-3/4 inches (image)

9. Untitled, 1961 gelatin-silver print, 7-3/8 x 7-1/2 inches (image & sheet)

10. Zen #7, 1959 gelatin-silver print, 5-13/16 x 7-1/4 inches (image)

11. e m u l a t I o n s

17. References
Stevens, M. (n.d.). His Old Kentucky Home. Retrieved April 1, 2015, from
Museum of Contemporary Photography. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from
Ralph Eugene Meatyard: The Man Behind the Masks. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from meatyard-the-man-behind-the-masks /?no-ist