William Wegman was born in 1943 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Between 1965 and 1967, he received an MFA and a BFA for painting from the Massachusetts College of Art and the University of Illinois. From 1968 to 1970 he taught at the University of Wisconsin. In the fall of 1970 he moved to Southern California where he taught for one year at California State College, Long Beach. By the early 70s, Wegman’s paintings were being exibitted internationally. From Paris to New York, even to London, England. He was an international sensation.
It was while teaching in Long Beach, that Wegman aquired his dog, Man Ray, a weimeraner. Man Ray became the central focus for many of Wegman’s photographical pieces. Man Ray become a sensation as well; well known for his apathetic yet endearing presence. In 1981, Man Ray died. It would be another five years before Wegman got his next subject. Another weimeraner named Fay Ray. This began Wegman's extensive use of the Polaroid 20 x 24 camera; with works such as”Red Head” and “Iceland”.
1989 marked the birth of Fay Ray’s litter, and Wegman’s newest subjects – Chundo, Battina, and Crooky. Later came Battina’s son, Chip (1995). Then Chip’s son, Bobbin (1999), and finally Bobbin’s daughter, Penny (2004).
This new cast inspired Wegman to create a series of children’s books inspired by the dogs’ various acting abilities: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, ABC, Mother Goose, Farm Days, My Town, Surprise Party, and Chip Wants a Dog.
Wegman has also published a number of books for adults including Man's Best Friend, Fashion Photographs, and William Wegman 20 x 24 under the Abhrams publishing; as well as Fay, and The New York Times Bestseller Puppies.
William Wegman lives in New York and Maine where he continues to take photographs.
By simply looking at his photos, it’s easy to see that Wegman’s chief inspirations are his Weimeraners. They take a featuring role in the majority of his photography.
I enjoy Wegman’s works because they have a unique sort of whimsy about them that is found in few others artists works. Not to serious, a glance at some of Wegman's photographs tells us that his stock-in-trade is wit, humor, a touch of satire - and love of his subjects. Many look more like well-timed snapshots, rather than premeditated photography. Overall, his works are quite surreal, and I thoroughly enjoy his unique, conceptual style.
