Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful

The purpose of art is to present a reflection of a moment in time. Presumably, without the conflicts of societal restraints, initially created in the spirit of free thought, his creations, his art and passion is presented with respect to the female person and human form. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is rare to find a soul with the ability to see, capture and present artwork that is so universal there is little to criticize. Personal preference is the only determining factor that is qualified to detract from the beauty of his work.

The powerful Helmut Newton (Helmut Neustädter, German/Australian fashion and nude photographer) behind his camera strips these not-so-weak women of their clothes in often surprising circumstances, in bizarre poses, often with frowning faces. They accept this, admire the resulting photographs and are grateful to him for allowing them in front of the camera, often pushing their way through the queue of those waiting their turn. Barely an attempt to expose an artist specialising in female nudes, which provokes contradictory opinions. Instead of an honest portrait and an insightful analysis of the artist's achievements, the adoration of female flatterers (not a single male reference!) from Anna Wintour to Isabella Rossellini, Grace Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Marianne Faithfull, Claudie Schiffer and Hanna Schygulla to Susan Sontag. She was the only one - while having nothing for Newton himself - to distance herself decisively from the products of his work and allow herself to assess them critically ("...victims, as in Stockholm syndrome, fall in love with the abuser..."). _ Witek Rusin.