A History of the
Vegetarian Nudes
In 1994, while taking my first photography class as an elective during my final semester of college, I was inspired by an image created by Edward Weston, an American photographer known for his still-lifes, nudes, and portraits.
Our two-week focus, at that time, was abstracts. During a slideshow presented by the instructor, Weston’s ‘Pepper No. 30’ and Irving Penn’s ‘The Hand of Miles Davis, New York’ spoke to me. I’m sure that geometric, architectural abstractions in the slideshow stood out, too, due to my earlier training in drafting and structural design; but, there was something about the proximity to these two subjects, a pepper and a hand, that distilled the spirit of something living and allowed me to absorb its simple presence and importance in our world.
Additionally, the figurative curves of Weston’s pepper reminded me of the Rolling Stones’ tongue and lips logo. This pareidolia resonated within me - although, I was not yet familiar with the word.
I decided to visit the local supermarket and search for interesting vegetables to photograph. There, in the produce section, I found my muse. The fourth pepper that I grabbed from a grand slope of shiny, red shapes had grown pinched in on one side producing a headless torso with broad “shoulders” and simple “buttocks.” This shape was so familiar it required, if not requested, a head! Immediately, I thought of a Brussels sprout and set out to find some that could also be used for dinner. After purchasing these and other items like bananas, mushrooms, and a red onion, I went home.
The setup of my figurative, still-life portraits was very basic. The pepper was photographed on an old shirt (that was tacked to the wall) and lit with a single desk lamp.
I shot two rolls of Kodak T-MAX 400 (TMY 5053) with my father’s Pentax K-1000 that I borrowed for this class. I tried different “poses”. I bracketed. I moved the lamp. I shot some color film, even though it was not required for the class. I knew I had something; but, in the end, I only liked two of the images.
I called them ‘Vegetarian Nude’ (because I liked the way the sound of the letters merged between words) and ‘Vegetarian Slumber’ (because that pose was on its side in a fetal position.)
That summer and fall, after I completed my B. A. in Film Production, I lived and worked in Maine, at the International Film and Television Workshops, (now, the Maine Media Workshops + College.) A friend from home, who had an image published by The Boston Globe’s photography contest, suggested that I submit ‘Vegetarian Nude’; so, I did from Maine. My image did not place in any categories; but, the photo was recognized by Mark Wilson and published, full-size, in The Boston Sunday Globe’s ‘Hobbies’ section, (page A60, August 14, 1994.)
Two years later, after a reader submitted a question about ‘Vegetarian Nude’ to the “Ask The Globe” section of the Boston Globe, I was tracked down. On August 16, 1996, my contact information was published in that section as a response to the question and it was noted how the image is “striking in its display of femininity, solitude and pain.”
Regarding these observations, everything is in the eye and the mind of the beholder, when it comes to pareidolia. But, I believe the “pose” of this figure, as if it is embracing itself in a fetal position, and the “scars” in the skin of the pepper suggest abuse - which was never my intent. I was simply photographing an assemblage of two found shapes with minimal experience and equipment. Sure, I could’ve learned how to manipulate the image in order to remove the scars; but, that is not how I choose to create - even to this day. Any digital manipulation that I do is making minor corrections or removing distracting dust and scratches on surfaces.
As simple as this image is, it is often misinterpreted as a photo of a bronze sculpture or a person dipped in chocolate with a cabbage on their head. The viewers who fall prey to the “gleefully deceptive” veggies, usually, just walk by. Others, who know Weston’s photo, or, are at first confused, before noticing the fabric and the scale, often gasp or chuckle and start conversations with others in the vicinity. This is why, after 25 years, I have decided to rename this image ‘Red Pepper and Brussels Sprout’.
If you are interested in purchasing or renting a ‘Red Pepper and Brussels Sprout’ print, apron, oven mitts, general fashion or luxury good for your favorite restaurant, café, spa, salon, chef, bartender, gardener, vegetarian, vegan, health nut, primary care physician, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, personal trainer, wine bar, grocery store, organic farmer, besties, etcetera… please visit my shops page or reach out.
Thank you for your interest in my “Vegetarian Nudes.”
Jim Baab
