Juergen Teller Analysis

Juergen Teller

" I find the cover picture disgusting, repulsive, sickening, for all the garden soil. I ask myself if such figures are considered the embodiment of our generation and make it onto the covers of reputable newspapers, then in what times do we live?"

Gerhard Batz

" It really is praiseworthy and touching the way you are looking after the figure of Juergen Teller. After around 20 editions of your series 'On the road with Juergen Teller' Somebody must have finally heard his silent, desperate cries for love. Or rather that is the essence that I, a mere beholder discern in his images..."

Juergen Teller, an iconic and influential photographer, whose controversial, quite raunchy, obscure, obscene but nonetheless inspiring photographs have caused an uproar and conflictive feelings among many members of the public. Despite of the slight repulsion from members of the public, he braved through it all operating successfully in the in art and commercial photography, exhibiting photos that he has taken from such figures as Lily Cole, Kate Moss, Kurt Cobain, Roni Horn and Vivienne Westwood. 

In observing Tellers Exhibition in the ICA, My first impressions were slightly unexplainable, although showcasing some very provocative images, I wasn't exactly star struck, but more intrigued by his 'in your face' photography, his bravery to showcase work like that. His main objective is to tell a story with each individual photograph, making his models give as much emotion as possible, whether it be pain, anguish or happiness. I find that each photograph that was featured in the exhibition had its own story, its own feeling, its own message, each being symbolic in its own way, but can be construed differently depending on the persons individual interpretation of it. For example, the picture of Kate moss in the wheelbarrow (the photo above) to me appears to show some pain. Her body slumped and  scrunched up in the wheelbarrow in a very awkward position represents discomfort, pain and possibly depression and weakness, which seems quite natural. Which works well with the natural scenery and lighting.

It's as if when photographing these celebrities he put them in their element, where they seemed most comfortable, although how uncomfortable and awkward some of his images may seem. The Kurt Cobain photo (on the left) I believe Teller chose this photo simply to show a different side to Cobain. Instead of looking at the obvious problems he had with drugs and his illness, he focused on the musical side. Hiding all his features in the picture which makes you concentrate  only the guitar, his profession, what makes him famous, what he enjoys. As though he's addressing and taking into consideration life issues and insecurities, and then taking a blind eye to it. As if in the photo he stripped him of everything and photographed him when he was most vulnerable. Where he was most calm and serene. With its large scale as well that seemed to engulf the room, I was left with a sense of peace. This photo seemed so calm and tranquil which put me in another world. Through a technical view of this photo its clear he used a high shutter speed as there is no sign of camera blur, its crystal clear, there is also a good range in tonal value which in a way doesn't over complicate this photo. Plain and simple. Which suits the composition and where its cropped. I genuinely liked this picture, it gave me a new feel and perspective to the covert and obscured theme we have, o how something can be obscured but so simple at the same time. The tranquil feeling I got when viewing this photograph is what I enjoyed the most and partially inspired me.


Juergen Teller's work ranged from the extremely intimate and tranquil, to the absurd and androgynous . In looking at his work I don't believe it to be disgusting, or repulsive, but simply making a statement and expressing himself.