Jeffrey Silverthorne

The Precision of Silence

For Fotomuseum Antwerp (FOMU) I curated the first European retrospective of the work of American photographer Jeffrey Silverthorne (1946) called: Jeffrey Silverthorne: The Precision of Silence (2015). The exhibition was on show from 20th of February 2015 until 7th of June 2015.

Silverthorne’s photographic stomping grounds range from mortuaries to brothels, motel rooms, the studio and his family life. Using polaroids, staged shots, portraits and work that borders on documentary in style, Silverthorne playfully explores such diverse subjects as death, sex and old age. The exploration of the limits of body and mind is central to his work. By bringing together his entire oeuvre, Silverthorne’s desire to reveal the invisible, such as private thoughts, desires, obsessions and memories, becomes palpable.

At first sight, Silverthorne’s work can seem sensationalistic and the photographer could be accused if exhibitionism and voyeurism. But when the viewer looks more closely, the reserve and vulnerability of Silverthorne himself becomes apparent.

Silverthorne’s work is consistent with that of his contemporaries, including Diana Arbus and Nan Goldin. This first European retrospective and catalogue aims to give this photographer the recognition he deserves. The exhibition was organized in collaboration with Musée Nicéphore Niépce and Galerie VU.