There's something iconic in the women of Paul Fong's photographs. They're sexy yet innocent, extraordinary yet so very familiar. They're defiant: The cheerleaders defy gravity, while the bikini models defy the imperfections of the body and even time itself, like the maiden on Keats' Grecian urn. But these women have a sense of humor, too. They're having fun.
Fong's stamping ground is South Florida, an exotic, exciting place where the beautiful come to be noticed. If Gustave Courbet had lived in the age of the bikini girl, he would have come to Florida to paint one. But the task is left to Fong's camera. He's more than equal to the task.
During spring and summer 2004, Fong represented PNB at the College Cheerleading and Dance Competition, the Fitness Universe contest, the Bikini Universe competition, the Model Universe meet. People may not associate art with fitness, but the Greeks knew better. And Fong brings out the art in cheerleading and bikini modeling.
Life is a dance. And Fong doesn't miss a motion. |
