Over the past decade, Yvonne Todd has established a reputation for creating some of the most engaging and irreverent photographic work in New Zealand.
During this period she has produced a consistent body of images that analyse and expose the disquieting and seamier aspects of the traditional magazine photo shoot.
Filtered through this artist's vision, the glamour industry is slightly downgraded as models are captured in awkward poses, wearing too much tanning product and dressed in a strange array of garments.
But there is deliberateness to this unease as Todd conflates the seemingly opposing worlds of Westie/biker chic with the technical finesse of high-end fashion and product photography.
Founding CEO is the first in a series of photographs of middle-aged and elderly businessmen entitled ''The Wall of Man''.
It is also the first image of a man that the artist produced, so represents a significant shift in both subject matter and direction.
As Todd has stated in relation to this new series:''Recently I looked at corporate portraits of senior male executives. There are numerous professional photographers who specialise in these, so I spent a lot of time viewing their websites, absorbing the generic qualities many of the executives seem to possess.
''They are well-maintained physically, not balding or paunchy. They exude confidence, trust, paternal love, along with a steely, resolute authority. I also liked the restraint: the business suit, the plain background. It seemed a nice contrast to my female portraits and their escalating use of costumes and wigs.''
• Aaron Kreisler is curator at Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
