Judith Golden – Cycles, A Decade of Photographs
Text by Claire V. C. Peeps
The Friends of Photography (Untitled 45), 1988, 52 pages
ISBN 0-933286-47-3

Judith Golden would be more properly described as a mixed-media artist than a photographer. Her photographs can be combined with magazine pages or movie posters; or she might draw or paint directly on the photographic print; or she might attach real world 3D objects to the surface of the print; and the mat or frame often serves as an extension of the image.

These photographs could be classified as portraits but, unlike traditional portraits, in these images the subject is just a model playing out an assigned role. Her works break down into specific thematic series, such as the Ode to Hollywood series or the Persona series. She generally spends one to two years working on a series.

This large format book (10-1/8 x 11-5/8 inches) includes a sampling of images from nine different series, produced from 1975 to 1985. The photographs are beautifully reproduced in full color on heavy paper.

Claire V. C. Peeps provides a detailed look at Golden's career, and an informative interview with Golden conducted by James L. Enyeart is also included. A chronology, a list of exhibitions, and a bibliography round out the book.

This attractive publication is a fine look at the work of an inventive artist. Recommended.