Daniel Cooney Fine Art is pleased to announce our first solo exhibition of photographs by Teresa Engle. On display are a suite of five never before exhibited photographs and two contact sheets of the infamous photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and the collector and curator Sam Wagstaff.
In July of 1981 Teresa Engle was finishing up a year long darkroom internship with Lucien Clergue in Arles, France. Robert Mapplethorpe was presenting his work in a large-scale exhibition as part of the annual Recontres d’Arles photography festival and was visiting for the opening events. Early in the week Teresa was briefly introduced to Robert at Lucien’s studio and saw him once again at the Place du Forum having lunch. Fans attempting to speak to him, obtain an autograph and asking for his advice on their careers surrounded Robert. Teresa recalls a moment when he looked up, caught her eye with a look of frustration and a slight smile.
On that cue, she walked over to Robert’s table and announced that it was time for his meeting with Lucien and escorted him out of the crowd. They walked up a nearby hill that led to Teresa’s street level apartment where they talked, drank coffee and smoked cigarettes. Robert was inquisitive about Teresa’s work as a photographer and printer and he agreed to be photographed by her later in the week.
On the last day of the festival there was a gathering at Lucien’s home attended by Robert and Sam Wagstaff. Robert spotted Teresa in the crowd and motioned to her that it was time to take pictures. They began an escape up to the empty third floor apartment when Sam decided to follow. The photo session lasted less than an hour and Teresa exposed only the two rolls of film that are seen here. While some of these photographs have been reproduced and included in charity auctions they have never been exhibited together.
Teresa Engle is an internationally renowned photographic printer and holds a BFA in Photography from the University of Arizona. She has printed for numerous master photographers included Irving Penn, Horst P. Horst, Robert Capa, Bruce Davidson, Garry Winogrand and many others. She has also taught master printing at the International Center of Photography and been extensively involved with the estates of many recognized photographers. She currently lives and works in Tucson, Arizona.