Salle, David

American, b. 1952

BiographyDavid Salle is a painter, set designer, and photographer whose work is composed of layered—often superimposed—images of objects and figures. His photography is marked by strong, theatrical lighting to create surreal interpretations of ordinary moments. Salle’s work The Past, which is held in the Museum of Contemporary Photography permanent collection, shows a human model between a plain background and a leafy branch. The exaggerated shadow cast by the branch leaves parts of the model’s face obscured by darkness and others bathed in light. Unlike his paintings, which are kaleidoscopic and colorful, Salle’s photographs are distinctly monochromatic.

The Past is one of thirteen prints featured in the portfolio America: Now and Here which was produced in 2009 in conjunction with a traveling exhibition of the same name. Both seek to expand dialogue about American identity post-9/11. The portfolio’s introductory essay, A Calamity of Heart, was written by E.L. Doctorow and commissioned by curator Eric Fischl to serve as an introduction to the collected works. Their intention, stated Doctorow, is to serve as “the ground song for our time of a diverse, still vibrantly alive society.” Doctorow’s prose is a call to action in restoring the celebration of expressive freedom.

Other artists in the portfolio include: Ross Bleckner, Chuck Close, Ralph Gibson, April Gornik, Sally Mann, Vik Muniz, Lou Reed, Andres Serrano, Laurie Simmons, and Bill Viola.

David Salle received his BFA (1973) and MFA (1975) from California Institute of the Arts where he was mentored by John Baldessari. After completing his education, he moved to New York and found work with Vito Acconci and Mary Boone, who both became some of Salle’s long-term collaborators. His work for the film and the stage began in 1981. He was hired by the American Ballet Theater in 1985 as a set and costume designer and in 1995, went on to direct the feature film Search and Destroy. Salle was granted a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1986 for Theater Design. He has been featured in exhibitions by Stedelijk Museum; Amsterdam, Museum of Contemporary Art; Los Angeles, and Metropolitan Museum of Art; New York, amongst others.