LANGFORD STREET PHOTO STUDIO
Whether it's a cheerful family vacation or holiday greeting card session, pet photography, corporate portraits or special event, a session with Langford Street Photo Studio will always capture your special moments with delightful, innovative and highly-sophisticated style. Our photography covers a full range of looks, from the whimsically theatrical, employing props, sets and costume, to the most thoroughly natural, direct and sincere portraits.
Founder Robert Melee, a graduate of The School of Visual Arts in New York City, is an internationally-renowned artist, whose photographs are in the collections of The Whitney Museum, The Milwaukee Museum of Art, The Corcoran Museum in Washington, DC, The Hafia Museum of Art in Israel, and others. They have been published in many outlets, including The New York Times, Dance Mag, and Vice. His work has been the subject of more than 20 solo exhibitions and numerous group shows around the world (see list below), notably at The Museum of Modern Art, New York’s New Museum, and The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. He has been represented since 1997 by the Andrew Kreps Gallery in New York and David Castillo, Miami, since 2014.
In 2016, Robert relocated his Manhattan studio to central NJ, at the Jersey Shore in Asbury Park and opened Langford Street Photo Studio - looking forward to making you and yours the subjects of his best work ever.
- PRESS -
read the 11-04-2016 Asbury Press Article
Art in review, JAN. 28, 2016
Robert Melee’s “Bower Pool” (2016) is titled after leafy garden areas, but also suggests nightclub debauchery.
Robert Melee, ‘Semi-Quasi-Bower Recreational’
By MARTHA SCHWENDENER
Susan Sontag once described camp as a vision of the world in terms of style, a form of dandyism in the age of mass culture that relies on private codes of artifice and exaggeration and results in what she called a “good taste of bad taste.” Robert Melee’s current show fits this criteria perfectly. It’s not the camp of Sontag’s era, of the filmmaker Jack Smith’s theatricality or the anesthetized aesthetic of Andy Warhol. Rather, it is camp for the Gallery Age, overrun with glittering objects installed in spaceswhere difference is tolerated, but largely defanged.
“Portrait of Debs With Fans” (2015) is a photomontage featuring the fashion designer David Quinn (also known as Debs), who looks like the drag performer Divine — a mainstay in John Waters’s camp films. In the photos here, Debs is supposedly painting a room but is actually vamping and posing. Inserted laterally into the work are two ceiling fans, perverting both the art object and the idea of functional decoration.
In “Atlantic City” (2015), a series of inkjet photomontages, the imagesdepict mundane scenes inside New Jersey hotels and casinos and have cheap chandeliers jammed into their surfaces. The pièce de résistance, however, is “Bower Pool” (2016), an above-ground pool hung upside downfrom the ceiling, emitting a cascade of streamers, lights, confetti and random objects like a woman’s pantsuit. Titled after leafy, shaded gardenareas, the work is also reminiscent of the nooks in nightclubs where acts of debauchery are performed.
Yet, no debauchery is likely to take place here. This is a gallery, after all — a sterile white-cube space. Still, Mr. Melee achieves Sontag’s camp standard, creating work that is enjoyable, playful and potentially liberating.
Andrew Kreps Gallery
537 West 22nd Street, Chelsea
Through Feb. 16
BIOGRAPHY
Education
1986-1990
School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
Solo Exhibitions
2016
Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2015
Its Last Move, David Castillo Gallery, Miami, FL
2014
a dozen Roses, Higher Pictures, New York, NY
2011
Triscuit Obfuscation, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2010
Robert Melee, David Kordansky, Los Angeles, CA
2008
Robert Melee, City Hall Park, New York, NY
Unshamelessfulnessly, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2006
Robert Melee's Poplar, Ingalls & Associates, Miami, FL
2005
Robert Melee, Sutton Lane Gallery, London, England
In Between False Comforts, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2003
Robert Melee, Art Statements, Art 34 Basel, Switzerland
2002
You, Me and Her, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2000
Units, Jay Jopling / White Cube, London, England
Unit, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
1999
Robert Melee Movies, Centre Gallery, Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL
1998
Robert Melee, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
1996
Baloneyism, Bravin Post Lee, New York, NY
White Room, White Columns, New York, NY
Museum Exhibitions and Biennials
2014
Outside the Lines: Rites of Spring, The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Houston, TX
2010
It's All American, curated by Alex Gartenfeld and Haley Mellin, New Jersey MoCA, Asbury Park, NJ
Portugal Arte 10, curated by Stefan Simchowiz, Portugal Biennial, Lisbon, Portugal
2009
Arena Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico hit it big, Mason Gross School of the Arrs, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Wild Exaggeration, The Grotesque Body in Contemporary Art, Haifa Museum of Art, Haifa, Israel, Arena Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico
2005
Make It Now: New Sculpture in NY Sculpture Center, Long Island City, NY
Greater New York, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Museum, Long Island City, NY
2004
Currents 31 : Robert Melee, curated by Stefano Basilico, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Adaptive Behavior, curated by Dan Cameron, Yukie Kamiya and Trevor Smith New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, NY
2001
Robert Melee’s Unit, Corcoran Museum, Washington D.C.
Group Exhibitions
2015
6s and 7s, Marlborough Chelsea, New York, NY
2015
Dark Matter, Litvak Contemporary, Tel Aviv, Israel
Colors, Louis B. James Gallery, New York, NY
2013
More Young Americans, Hotel de Miramion, Paris
I Killed My Father, I Ate Human Flesh, I Quiver With Joy: An Obsession With Pier Paolo Pasolini, curated by Invisible-Exports, Allegra LaViola Gallery, New York, NY
Deep Cuts, curated by David Humphrey and Wendy White, Anna Kustera, New York, NY
2012
hue and cry, curated by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, Sotheby's S/2 Gallery, New York, NY
Space Invaders, curated by Karin Bravin, Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx, NY
I glove U, Reynolds Gallery, Richmond VA
2011
Norfolk, Thierry Goldberg, New York, NY
Notes on Notes On Camp, Invisible Exports, New York, NY
With One Color, curated by Paul Frank McCabe, Van De Weghe Fine Art, New York, NY
Dust To Settle, Cuchifritos (New Museum’s Festival of Ideas for the New City), New York, NY
Living Live, LGBT Center, New York, NY
2010
NY/Prague 6, curated by Omar Lopez-Chahoud Futura - Center for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
Portugal Arte 10, curated by Stefan Simchowitz, Portugal Biannual, Lisbon, Portugal
Lush Life, curated by Franklin Evans, Lehmann Maupin, New York, NY
Reel Subjects, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2009
Bad Habits, curated by Heather Pesanti, Albright-Know Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Glitterati, curated by Thomas Woodruff and Aaron Cobbett Headquarters, New York, NY
LOVER, curated by Kate Gilmore & Candice Madey, On Stellar Rays, New York, NY
Glamour Bomb, Parlor Gallery, Abury Park, NJ
2008
It's Not Over Yet, Invisible-Exports, New York, NY
Looking Back, Mireille Mosler, Ltd. New York, NY
Mamma's Boy, Comme il Faut Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel
2007
Neointegrity, Derek Eller Gallery, New York, NY
Warhol and..., Kantor/Feuer Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
The Lath Picture Show, Friedrich Petzel Gallery, New York, NY
Artists’ Self-Portraits as Porn Stars, curated by Omar Lopez-Chahoud Circus of Books, West Hollywood, CA
2006
The shape of jazz, Clifford Chance, Dinaburg Arts LLC, New York, NY
Lisa Kirk’s Greatest Hits, Wayward Canon, London, United Kingdom
2005
Painting the Edge, Galerie Do_Hyundai, Korea
Summer Group Show, Sutton Lane Gallery, London, United Kingdom
Can I Get A Witness, curated by Dean Daderko, Longwood Gallery, Bronx, New York, NY
2003
Mama's Boy, curated by Jane Harris, White Columns, New York, NY
The Outlaw Series, curated by Lisa Kirk, New York, NY
Greetings from New York: A Painting Show, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Salzburg, Austria
YOU, curated by Lisa Kirk, Royal Modern Gallery, New York, NY
The TaDa Show, The Annex, New York, NY
2002
The Longest Winter, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Monitor, Volume 2, Gagosian Gallery, New York, NY
Flesh for Fantasy, Javogue & Ingalls Fine Arts, Miami Beach, FL
Family, curated by Jessica Hough, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT
Wonderland, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels, Belgium
Super-Heroes, Galerie Edward Mitterrand, Geneva, Switzerland
State of the Gallery, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
2001
American Spirituality, Audiello Fine Art, Inc. New York, NY
Skank, Plus Ultra, Brooklyn, NY
2000
Exposure: Recent Acquisitions from the Doron Sebbag Art Collection, O.R.S. Ltd, Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Mount Miami, Tel Aviv Artists Studio, Tel Aviv, Israel
Achieving Failure: Gym Culture, curated by Bill Arning, collaboration with Meredith Danluck, the Thread Waxing Space, New York, NY
1999
Group Show, Ambrosino Gallery, Miami, FL
Group Show, Cartervous & Time, Whales, United Kingdom
1998
Sassy Nuggets, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, NY
Pet Shop, Nicholas Davies & CO, New York, NY
1996
Doggy Style, curated by Rick Prol, Space, New York, NY
The Joy of Painting, curated by Alix Lambert, HERE, New York, NY
Maux Faux, Richard Feldman Fine Arts, New York, NY
Summer Show, Richard Anderson Fine Arts, New York, NY
1993
Dirty Birds, Wooster Gardens, New York, NY
1992
7 Rooms, 7 Shows, P.S.1 Museum, Long Island City, NY
Neurotic Art Show, Artist Space, New York, NY
1991
Home, Home For Contemporary Arts, New York, NY
1990
Visual Art Gallery, curated by Steve Keister, New York, NY
Performances
2010
Robert Melee's Talent Show, The Kitchen, New York, NY
2005
Robert Melee's Talent Show, The Kitchen, New York, NY
2003
This Is For You, Movement Research at the Judson Church, New York, NY
Press
2014...Wilson, Siona, “Robert Melee: A Dozen Roses.” Art Review, October. Jane Harris, "Mommy Dearest: An Interview With Robert Melee" The Huffington Post, Dec 8, 2014
Joseph Keckler, "a dozen Roses, Robert Melee on Photographing His Mother", VICE, July 9
2013...“Robert Melee: This is For You,” Newmuseum.or
2011 ...Daniel Kunits, Reviews, Modern Painters, September Will Heinrich, "Robert Melee", The New York Observer, October 3rd, 2011
2010...McGarry, Kevin. “Jersey, Sure”. Artforum.com. October 30.
Mendelsohn, John. “Robert Melee: The Magnetic Grotesque.” Sculpture Magazine. November. Ozuna, Tony. "New York state of mind." Prague Post September 22
2008...Vogel, Carol. "Inside Art, New in City Hall Park." The New York Times Decenmber 19. Rosenberg, Karen. "Rober Melee." The New York Times November 7: Page C31
2007...Smith, Roberta. "In These Shows, the Material Is the Message." The New York Times August 10, 2007: Page E29. Lopez-Chahud, Omar. “Robert Melee.” Zing Issue 21.
Saltz, Jerry.”Non-Specific Objects”. Modern Painters. March: p.32-34.
2006...Cotter, Holland. "The World Tour Rolls Into Town, Sprawling but Tidy." The New York Times 10 March
2005...Barliant, Claire. “Robert Melee.” ARTFORUM December 2005.
Objekt International. cover, p. 132. issue # 31.
Harris, Jane. "Robert Melee In Between False Comforts." Time Out NY 27 October - 2 November: p.74.
Webster, Peter. "Robert Melee, A Blissfully Impudent Artist Finds Contentment in New Jersey." New York Home November-December: pp.48-50.
Young, Stephanie. "Dark Laughter." Blender Magazine Fall/ Winter.
Genocchio, Benjamin."Robert Melee Turned His Back on New York and Gladly Moved To Asbury Park."The New York Times 22 May.
Cotter, Holland, "A Different Kind of Never-Never Land." The New York Times, 3 May: p. 5E.
White, Rodger. "Looking Good and Meaning Well." n + 1.
2004...Johnson, Ken. "Adapting and Constructing in a Dizzly Changing World." The New York Times Friday, 24September: p. E 35.
Krenz, Marcel. "Adaptive Behavior." Flash Art November – December.
Auer, James. "’Mommy’ will shock and entertain you." Journal Sentinel July.
2003...Rodriguez, Liana. “Coming Attractions.” Loft Summer.
Mack, Gerhard. “Messe der Rekorde.” Art: das Kunstmagazin No. 6 June.
“Art Basel: Robert Melee, Her Curtains.” Beaux Arts Magazine No. 229 June.
Robinson, Walter. “Basel ABC.” artnet.com June.
Marzahn, Alexander and Gerig, Karen N. "Das Reaktionsvermögen verblüfft schon vor dem Startschuss" Basler Zeitung 18 June.
2002...“The Aldrich Museum.” Tema Celeste August.
Sims, Carol. “The Aldrich Takes on ‘Family’.” Antiques and Arts Weekly 14 June.
Ocana, Damarys. “The Longest Winter.” The Miami Herald 6 October.
Schwan, Gary. “Feel like chillin’?Take a cold, hard look at these exhibits.”The Palm Beach Post October 6.
Sheffield, Skip. “‘The Longest Winter’ exhibit opens at FAU.” Boca Raton News15 September.
Saltz, Jerry. “Mommie Queerest”. The Village Voice. 25 September– 1 October.
“Robert Melee” The New Yorker 24 September.
Cotter, Holland. “Robert Melee; You Me and Her.” The New York Times. 20 September.
Brundage, Brita. “Disrobing the Family ” Fairfield County Weekly. May 23-29
“Family.” Antiques and the Arts Weekly 3 May.
Luft, Scot. “University Galleries prepare for ‘Winter’ season.” Boca Raton Times.14 August.
Tupohy, Laurel. “family.” The New-Times 7 June.
Yablonsky, Linda. “Painting the Town.” Time Out New York 7-14 March.
Smith, Roberta. “Brice Delsperger”. The New York Times. 8 March.
2001...“Art and Outrage." CBS News T.V. Special Fall.
O’Sullivan. Michael. “Selections Troubling and Beautiful.” Washington Post 15 June.
Binstock, Jonathan. “Robert Melee”. Fellowship in the Visual Arts brochure. 6 June - 19 July.
Cotter, Holland. “Skank.” The New York Times 1 June.
2000...“smock walk gallery tour.” Smock Magazine Fall/Winter
Harris, Mark. “Robert Melee.” Art Monthly September
Currah, Mark. “Robert Melee.” Time Out London. 9-16 August.
“Robert Melee.” Independent Study 30 July.
Guner, Fisun. “Robert Melee.” What’s On in London. 26 July.
Cotter, Holland. “Marilyn Minter.” The New York Times 5 May.
Levin, Kim. “Voice Choice.” The Village Voice 25 April.
Smith, Roberta. “Art in Review.” The New York Times 21 April.
Moreno, Gene. “Miami Art Review.” Art Papers March – April.
1999...Feinstein, Roni. “Miami Heats Up.” Art in America December
Moshkovits, Boris. “More than Mambo.” Flash Art November-December
1998...Arning, Bill. “Art Review.” Time Out. 17-24 September.
Brack, Yvette. “Art Review.” Time Out. 23-30 July.
Kley, Elisabeth. "Color of Memory." artnet.com.
Cotter, Holland.“Art in Review.” The New York Times 10 July.
1996...Levin, Kim. “Voice Choice.” The Village Voice 12 March.
1995...Levin, Kim. “Voice Choice.” The Village Voice 21 March.
Karmel, Pepe. “Art in Review.” The New York Times 24 March.
1992...Levin, Kim. “Voice Choice.” The Village Voice 22 December.
Catalogues
2014... This Mess is a Place: A Collapsible Anthology of Collections and Clutter, And Publishing, London, U.K.
2008...Mama’s Boy, Comme Il Faut. Tel Aviv, Israel.
2005...Painting the Edge. Gallery Hyundai, Korea.
Make It Now. Sculpture Center. Long Island City, NY.
2002...Family. The Adlrich Museum
2001...I am a Camera. The Saatchi Collection. Booth and Clibborn Editions, London
Exposure: Recent Acquisitions from the Doran Sebbag Art Collection, ORS Ltd. Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Tel Aviv, Israel
2000...Katz-Freiman, Tami. Mount Miami: American Artists in Tel Aviv.
1999...Tomcic, Goran. Robert Melee’s Home Movies, Miami-Dade Community College
Special Projects
2006...
Untitled site-specific installation, Legion, New York, NY
Complete set design for Michael Portnoy’s- The Big K, the Kitchen, New York, NY
2004... K48, issue #5
2002...
Whitney Museum of American Art, Panel discussion on Robert Melee's work for
Initial Public Offerings (I.P.O.): New Artists, New Curators series, New York, NY
1999... Zing Magazine- Winter Issue 1999, by John Connelly
1998... National Foundation for the Advancements in the Arts, Miami Residency
1997... Zapp Video Magazine, Robert Melee Movies, Issue #9 & 10, Amsterdam
1994-1996... Robert Melee Movies, NY Cable, Channel 17, 34
1995... Showtime: Drawings by Robert Melee, Nicholas Davies & Co., New York, NY
1993... Bomb, Me & Mommy, Winter Issue
1990... Robert Melee’s Mommy, Window Installation, 17th ST., New York, NY