PRESERVING MATUSCHKA'S LEGACY
Matuschka is an American photographer, artist, author, activist, and Renaissance mind. Her contributions to art and society have been recognized globally and several publications have listed her as being in the top 100 photographers of the 20th century. The artist’s archive holds historical significance and Libraries, Foundations, Universities, Museums, & Private Collections wishing to broaden or increase the scope of their collection in important female photographers, female artists, and female activists should acquire these archives.
Her photographic work focuses on the body and has been published, exhibited and collected internationally by a variety of venues since the 80s. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize when her controversial self-portrait Beauty out of Damage appeared on the Sunday cover of The New York Times Magazine Matuschka is credited with launching the Breast Cancer Movement in 1993. This iconic image was chosen by LIFE for a special edition entitled 100 Photographs that Changed the World (published in 2003 and again in 2011). That same year she appeared in John Loengard's monograph The Age of Silver: Encounters with Great Photographers in 2011.
The artist has received many awards including a Gold from The World Press Foundation for "People in the News"; the 1994 Rachel Carson Award for her environmental activism and Best Environmental Poster of 1996 from Graphis for her collaboration with GreenPeace.
Matuschka’s photographs are included in The Museum of the City of New York, The Cooper Hewitt Design Museum of New York, The Cincinnati Art Museum, the Musee de l'Elysee Lausanne, The Photographic Museum of Helsinki, and The National Museum of Women in the Arts, among others.
THE MATUSCHKA COLLECTION, spanning five decades contains all of Matuschka’s negatives and paraphernalia-- including cameras, equipment, contact sheets, extensive documentation (letters, awards, newsletters, magazine books, digital media) videos, wardrobe and music tapes. The collection also includes photographs taken of her by some of the world’s most renowned photographers, i.e. Nadav Kander, Nick Knight, Bill Silano, Gerald Malanga, Bill Cunningham, Anton Perich and John Loenguard to name few.
First Self-Portrait (1972).taken with a 35mm camera. Printed by the artist on numbered photographic paper in 1972
For those not familiar with Matuschka, please visit her wikipedia page.
"Matuschka's work includes a nod to modern art: there is as much of Andy Warhol as there is of Dick Avedon in her photos If the purpose of art is to define the times in which we live, to give witness to what it feels like to be alive during your time in history, then Matuschka has fulfilled this requirement. These works contain a microcosm of what it is like to live as the Twentieth Century comes to a close. Matuschka has uncovered herself in a brilliant attempt to reveal brand new, still beautiful and profoundly uncomfortable truths."
-Rick Cusick (High Times 1994)
GALLERIES
Matuschka was discovered skinny dipping in 1970 when she was 16 years old by an ameteur photographer who was riding his dirt bike in the back woods of Mahwah, NJ.
Already a life sketching model for regional art classes, Matuschka, an aspiring artist herself, was quite comfortable stripping down. When the photographer asked to take her picture in her birthday suit she coyly replied: "Under one condition, you send me some prints."
Pictures were sent and also shown to other photographers who wanted to photograph Matuschka. This began a practice that would last for decades as the water nymph became a much sought after nude model for the next two decades and began her career as a photographer simultaneously specializing in self-portraits.
Row Boat, 1972
Paris, France. 1976
Photos in this gallery were shot on 35 mm Black & White negative film and printed as Silver Gelatin prints in various sizes often by Matuschka herself. The bulk of this portfolio remain vintage one of a kind prints. Digital reproductions available. Locations: Mahwah, NJ; The Berkshires; Paris, France, New York City, New York.
Trash Bag Fashion, Paris France 2018
Matuschka was discovered "again" in 1975 while driving a taxi in NYC--- this time by a friend of Wilhelmina--- a top Modeling Agent who thought Matuschka would either be a "'star' or "nothing". She sent Matuschka off to Europe to expand her portfolio and work as a runway and photographic model on both continents always honing her own skills in the darkroom alongside the photographers she 'tested' with.
Smok'in, NYC Jeff Niki 1977
Russian Princess, NYC Mark Chin, 1978
Black & White Silver Gelatin Prints. Shot on 35 mm & 2&1/4 film. One of a kind prints in various sizes. Digital reproductions available. Printed by various photographers & Matuschka.
Matuschkas ease in front of a camera is clearly illustrated here and it is through fashion modeling that the practiced poise and grandness of movement that would define her photographic presence in her own compositions later on.
Masked, 1987
Before Noon #2, 1987
Based on Matuschka posing alongside plaster casts of her body in abandoned buildings, "The "Ruins" Portfolio is considered her first major work known to the public.
"The Ruins" series is the first body of self-portraits which the artist directs entirely by herself. It is a remarkably complete, complex set of images, reflecting alienation, disillusionment, independence and isolation—a haunting world in which the realities of self-reliance are found in the contrast of a soft body against stark steel and peeling paint.
Black & White Silver Gelatin Prints. Color C Prints. Shot on 35 mm & 2&1/4 film. One of a kind prints in various sizes. Digital reproductions available. Printed by Matuschka.
This gallery offers a spectrum of gender and race expression, capturing the fluidity and diversity of identity through striking self-portraits that blur the lines between masculine and feminine.
Through costuming, gesture, and gaze, Matuschka dismantles traditional roles and reveals the tension between societal expectation and self expression. For Matuschka, this performance is itself a cabaret, a kind of theatre of identity in which we all must participate.
Matuschka's androgeny images created between 1975-2021 includes Black & White Silver Gelatin Prints, Color C prints and digital reproductions of various sizes. Shot on 35 mm & 2&1/4 film.
Matuschka as a Coalminer, 2000
Arms Around You, 1994
Matuschka as "Guido" Self-Portrait, 2000
Shot on 35 MM and 2 &1/4 B & W negative film printed on Fiber Based Paper.
Woman with Rice Paper, Circa 1968
The archives are also significant for their demonstration of technical prowess and innovation in photography and printmaking. Matuschka’s experimental techniques with chemical toning, manipulation of prints, and her exploration in mixed media and digital art are well-documented. These works are invaluable for both aspiring and established artists interested in the technical aspects of art creation.
2 Dykes, 1973
Gomatti, Don Snyder, 1979
Arkville Solarized, 1989
Before Noon, 1987
The "Beauty Out of Damage" series shot between 1991-1994 includes the photographers' award winning and iconic photographs published internationally from 1991 thru the present. These works are Matuschka's most well known works to the public.
The New York Times Sunday Magazine Cover, 1993
Matuschka is credited with helping change the environment for Breast Cancer awareness , launching the Breast Cancer movement in the early 90s and exposing the environmental link to cancer.
Images were shot on 35 mm B & W negative film, 35 mm slide film and 2 & 1/4 Negative film. Original test Polaroids available.
Black and white fiber based prints and color C prints were printed by the artist.
The Hand, 1992
Post Surgery, 1992 (Cervin)
THE ARCHIVES, ART OBJECTS & ARTIFACTS
Matuschka's archive is carefully stored in climate-controlled conditions in archival boxes, protective sheets and portfolio cases both in New Jersey and New York City. Matuschka is available to assist with the metadata, making this resource essential for collectors and institutions looking to acquire items from her collection or the entire archive.
SELECT COVERS 1979-2025
EL mundo cover and 1 other
All photographs displayed on this website are copyrighted by Matuschka. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited without prior permission.