Thomas Barbèy

Thomas Barbèy (pronounced Bar-bay) (born on November 18, 1957) is an American photomontage or photomixage artist who produces open-edition black & white prints and signed, limited edition sepia prints. Barbèy's photomixage works are made using original film negatives.

Biography

Barbèy was born in Connecticut and moved with his family to Europe at six months of age. His schooling was in French. After stints in both Italy and Germany, Barbèy lived in Switzerland for 17 years. He spent one semester at the University of Geneva but left the University to pursue a career in music. His [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N50SdMw-M1w&feature=related music] was successful in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPhom1em_Zg Italy] and he moved there for 15 years, where he performed under the name of Tom Hooker, and later as the lead vocalist of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox1xOTjFj6M Elastic Band] . He was also the actual voice behind several hits attributed to Den Harrow, an Italian model and pop singer in the 80s who did not actually sing on his early albums. His musical success enabled him to pursue photography as a hobby. By the early 1990s, he had built a fashion photography studio. In 1995, he returned to the United States where he and his wife, Suzanne, now reside in Las Vegas. Barbèy continues to travel the world to take photographs for use in his compositions. Suzanne handles the business side of his work.

His stated influences include: René Magritte, M. C. Escher, Philippe Druillet, Sandro del Prete, Vladimir Kush, Octavio OcampoFact|date=June 2008 and he is sometimes compared with Jerry Uelsmann and Scott Mutter.Who|date=June 2008

References

*cite web
last = Harrop
first = Thomas
title = "Thomas Barbèy"
publisher = "Inked"
date = 2005-08
url = http://www.thomasbarbey.com/magazine_articles/page2.jpg
accessdate = 2007-01-31
*cite web
last = Hart
first = Jane
title = "Exposing" the world of special effects: today's fine art photographers combine old techniques with new technologies
publisher = "Art Business News"
date = 2005-10
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HMU/is_10_32/ai_n15880281
accessdate = 2007-05-10
*cite web
publisher = Gallery 71
title = "Thomas Barbèy"
url = http://www.gallery71.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=22
accessdate = 2007-01-31

External links

* [http://www.thomasbarbey.com Barbèy's website] , includes images (not navigable without Flash)
* [http://www.gallery71.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=22 Barbèy at Gallery 71] (an online dealer)
* [http://www.papersculpture.com/aluminum/gallery/indexTom.html Barbèy at Urban Roots Gallery] in Austin, Texas
* [http://the-artists.org/ArtistView.cfm?id=1F750318-9997-6B98-662E64FCBB12CCA6 the-artists.org listing] with a photo of Barbèy