The most-talked-about photographer of the 1980s, Robert Mapplethorpe was a belated classicist who understood how to present provocative themes in catchy visual images. After his photographic work with the New York leather scene, male nudes, and erotically-charged flower studies, Mapplethorpe turned his lens on the first female world champion in body-building. The resulting cycle is probably his most comprehensive work, and at the same time constitutes an homage to the new, strong woman, who is aware of her body. More on Mapplethorpe and Lyon
Robert Mapplethorpe, American (1946 - 1989)
Lisa Lyon, c. 1982
Gelatin silver print
50.80 x 40.60 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
Here, Lyon is shown in a striped leotard, mid-stretch as if she is about to start working out. The harshness of the brick wall contrasts with the lighting and contrapposto pose which leads the eye up Lyon’s muscular figure. More on this photograph
Lisa Lyon, was born in Los Angeles, California in 1953 and studied art at the University of California at Los Angeles. There she became accomplished in the Japanese art of fencing, kendo, but found herself lacking sufficient upper body strength so she began weight training. This eventually led her into bodybuilding.
Lyon entered and won the first International Federation of Body Builders Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in Los Angeles on June 16, 1979. This was the only bodybuilding competition of her career. She appeared in many magazines and on television talk shows, promoting bodybuilding for women. She also wrote a book on weight training for women.
Her stats as taken on October 1980:[2] Bust 37A, Waist 24", Hips 35", Height 5' 4", Weight 120 lbs, Hair Color brunette. At the time, she could dead-lift 225 pounds, bench-press 120 pounds, and squat 265 pounds.[3]
Lyon modeled for Helmut Newton, American fine art photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and Marcus Leatherdale. Lyon's work with Mapplethorpe was specifically impressive due to Mapplethorpe's ability to portray her body as masculine and feminine in his photos, which shows how her body was truly one of a kind.
She was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2000 for being a one-woman media-relations activist on behalf of the sport and Elevating bodybuilding to the level of fine art. More on Lisa Lyon
ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE
Lisa Lyon, 1982
Gelatin silver print
15 1/8 x 15 1/4 in. (38.4 x 38.7 cm)
Private collection
From the day they met to Mapplethorpe’s untimely death in 1989, their relationship transcended that of a photographer and his sitter. They were compatriots on a shared journey examining representations of women throughout the history of photography and the history of art all whilst challenging their own fears and obstacles.
Mapplethorpe had Lyon in an array of poses from the seductress on her knees to the fashionista in couture clothing. Every detail of each character was carefully decided by Mapplethorpe and Lyon with only their imagination as a limit. More on this photograph
Robert Mapplethorpe, American (1946 - 1989)
Lisa Lyon, 1982
Gelatin silver print
50.80 x 40.60 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
Here, like many of his photographs of Lyon, her face is absent and she lifts a layered dress above her head. The dark shadow that cuts horizontally across her body and composition frames her stomach and pelvis in the light. Mapplethorpe’s photographs of Lyon appear to subvert the conventions of female iconography and beauty. More on this photograph
Robert Mapplethorpe, American (1946 - 1989)
Lisa Lyon, 1984
Gelatin silver print
50.80 x 40.60 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
Here, like many of his photographs of Lyon, her face is absent and her naked back and buttocks are tied in what appears in a black leather strap perhaps referencing the S & M subculture, which is often prominent in Mapplethorpe’s work. More on this photograph
Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946–1989)
Lisa Lyon , c. 1981
Gelatin silver print
35.5 x 35.5 cm. (14 x 14 in.)
Private collection
Robert Mapplethorpe (November 4, 1946 –
March 9, 1989) was an American
photographer, known for his sensitive yet blunt treatment of controversial
subject-matter in the large-scale, highly stylized black and white medium of
photography. His work featured an array of subjects, including celebrity
portraits, male and female nudes, self-portraits and still-life images of
flowers. His most controversial work is that of the BDSM subculture in the late
1960s and early 1970s of New York City. The homoeroticism of this work fuelled
a national debate over the public funding of controversial artwork. More on Robert
Mapplethorpe
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