Gymnasium

The teenage athletes in Luke Smalley's pictures seem inhabitants of some time or place other than the northwestern Pennsylvania towns where the photographer recently found and photographed them. The sensuality of these young athletes seems familiar, their gaze immediate and direct, yet their otherworldly quality remains -- a product of the artist's unique vision. No telephone or television seems possible in this not-quite-familiar landscape.For the past twelve years the photographer has painstakingly coordinated the creation of the work presented here, often making his own athletic equipment, props, and costumes. The images are published here for the first time.Smalley, Luke is the author of 'Gymnasium' with ISBN 9780944092804 and ISBN 0944092802.