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Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

American, 1955-2009

Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising, since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for several years as a model and personal trainer. He shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania. Smalley used real high school athletes as models, who engaged in unusual, imaginary competitions he conceived, designing and crafting many of the outfits and equipment himself.

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Artist: Luke Smalley
Exercise at Home
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5 + 1 AP) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Laps
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Garage
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 24 x 20 inches (Edition of 10) 40 x 30 inches (Edition of 5) 60 x 50 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Sasha
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 24 x 20 inches (Edition of 10) 40 x 30 inches (Edition of 5) 60 x 50 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Laundry
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, loc...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Medicine Ball Front
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 15) Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 16 inches, sheet From the series, "Gymnasium." This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York Cit...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Push Ball
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Parlor Wrestling I
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print Stamped and numbered, verso 11 x 14 inches, sheet 5 x 7 inches, image (Edition of 15) 16 x 20 inches, sheet 12 x 15.75 inches, image (Edition of 10) From the ...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Tug of War
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety procedures on a small craft that happens to be indoors. Another pair have a psychological game of tug of war...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Tug of War
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 15) Stamped and numbered, verso 11 x 14 inches, sheet 9 x 12 inches, image From the series, "Gymnasium" This photograph is offered by ClampArt, loc...
Category

Early 2000s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Rowing Machine
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print Stamped and numbered, verso 14 x 11 inches, sheet (Edition of 15) 20 x 16 inches, sheet (Edition of 10) 24 x 20 inches, sheet (Edition of 10) From the series...
Category

1990s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Megaphone
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print Stamped and numbered, verso 14 x 11 inches, sheet 7 x 5 inches, image (Edition of 15) 20 x 16 inches, sheet (Edition of 10) From the series, "Gymnasium" This ...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Sit-Up
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

Head Lock
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 15) Stamped and numbered, verso 14 x 11 inches, sheet 7 x 5 inches, image From the series, "Gymnasium" This photograph is offered by ClampArt, loca...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Swimmers with Masks
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 15) Stamped and numbered on label, verso 14 x 11 inches, sheet 7 x 5 inches, image From the series, "Gymnasium" This photograph is offered by Clamp...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Indian Club I
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print Stamped and numbered, verso 11 x 14 inches, sheet 5 x 7 inches, image (Edition of 15) 16 x 20 inches, sheet 11.5 x 16 inches, image (Edition of 15) From the s...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Parlor Wrestling IV
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Gelatin silver print (Edition of 10) Stamped and numbered, verso 16 x 20 inches, sheet 12 x 15.75 inches, image From the series, "Gymnasium" This photograph is offered by ClampArt,...
Category

1990s Other Art Style Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Wooden Dumbbells
By Luke Smalley
Located in New York, NY
Digital C-print Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 24 inches (Edition of 10) 30 x 40 inches (Edition of 5) 50 x 60 inches (Edition of 3) This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. Please note that prices increase as editions sell. Luke Smalley was an American artist known for his photographic work, which pairs a coolly minimalist aesthetic with a retro nostalgia. Images from his early in his career were inspired by fitness manuals and yearbooks c. 1910. This is not surprising since Smalley graduated with a degree in sports medicine from Pepperdine University and worked for a number of years as a model and personal trainer. Smalley shot the bulk of his photographs in his home state of Pennsylvania, using real high school athletes as models. “Exercise at Home” is Luke Smalley’s second major body of work. Shot in and around the tiny Pennsylvania town the artist called home, Smalley revisits themes of adolescent growing pains acted out under the guise of earnest athleticism. Teenagers engage in simple yet strange competitions meant to establish their standings amongst one another. Two youths practice boating safety...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Luke Smalley Figurative Photography

Materials

C Print

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Previously Available Items
Medicine Ball Front
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Gelatin silver print (Edition of 15) Stamped and numbered, verso 20 x 16 inches, sheet From the series, "Gymnasium" This photograph is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City...
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Luke Smalley figurative photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Luke Smalley figurative photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of figurative photography to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Luke Smalley in c print, silver gelatin print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Luke Smalley figurative photography, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Michael Kenna, Paul Raphaelson, and Viktorija Pashuta. Luke Smalley figurative photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $3,750, while the average work can sell for $2,500.

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