Carla Williams: Seeing Myself
The first monograph by Carla Williams now at its second edition, “Tender” is a visual memoir created in private between 1984 and 1999 that explores self-representation, and desire through the eyes of a young, queer, Black woman.
While studying at Princeton, Carla Williams turned the camera on herself to create visual narratives she’d never seen. She used Polaroids and 35mm film to portray herself in a bold, honest and sensual way, mixing the visual language of fine art, and soft-core pornography.
Instead of following a single style or visual formula, the photographs move through a range of moods and approaches, characterized by restless experimentation, and rawness. Her expression is often defiant when she looks at the camera, engaging in a dialogue not only with her own identity, but also with society.
The book “Tender” is published by TBW Books and available at the price of 45$.
