Jo Laboo
'Search for a Supermodel' series (installation and detail) 2002
Collection: The artist
Jo Laboo
July-November 2003
Jo Laboo's 'Search for a Supermodel' series presented stark black-and-white portraits of young modelling hopefuls photographed at auditions for the popular TV series of the same name. The larger-than-life works explored a range of issues ― from perceived ideals of beauty to the often empty or exploitative glamour of the fashion industry.
I went to the Search for a Supermodel audition in Brisbane and photographed people competing to become the next big thing. I am interested in the way that these girls and boys hold themselves and the uncomfortable nature of their poses ― their wish to be recognised as beautiful. The reality is that the vast majority of the people I have photographed will never appear either on a catwalk or in a fashion shoot.
When changing these photos to paintings, I wanted the images to be a bit larger than life size to really focus on the person and their pose. I wanted to keep these images very simple, for the viewer to focus on the model and not to be distracted by anything in the background. I am interested in the way people can be exploited ― I find that the fashion industry in some ways does that and I am interested in the way that it can so easily manipulate and exploit its viewers.
Jo Laboo
Artist statement
