Zak (Second Row, University Team Captain) Princeton, NJ, 2010

“Elegant Violence”

These photos are an extension of my ongoing exploration of masculine identity. In this project I am fascinated with rugby, a brutal sport rich in tradition, dating back to the 1800’s. I’m interested in the balance between athleticism, modes of violence or aggression and varying degrees of vulnerability within a sport where body contact is fundamental to a game described as both traditional and barbaric, elegant and violent.

Kevin (Wing) New York, NY, 2010

Inspired by vintage studio portraits of rugby players dating from the 1870’s to 1930’s I have set up daylight studios on the field to make portraits of young players immediately after the game. I aim to capture signs of an 80 minute game that often involves intense physicality and aggressive contact without the use of pads or helmets, focusing on the subtlety in their expression and body language, the dirt on their uniforms and the wounds the game inflicts.

Dan (Wing/Fullback) New Haven, CT, 2010

Amy Elkins was born in Venice Beach, CA and received her BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Her photographs explore notions of vulnerability, identity and transitory states.  Elkins’ work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, including shows at Kunsthalle wien in Vienna, Austria, The PIP International Photo Festival in Pingyao, China, Gallery Gagopa in Masan, South Korea, Gallery Elsa in Busan, South Korea, Barbara Walters Gallery, National Arts Club, Tina Kim Gallery and Yancey Richardson Gallery in New York as well as at Carnegie Art Museum.  In June 2008 Amy Elkins and Cara Phillips co-founded wipnyc.org, a platform for showcasing both established and emerging women in photography.