Jade Beall

This week's radical is Jade Beall, a Tuscon-based portrait photographer whose photos challenge notions of what a woman's body should or shouldn't be. Her projects center mothers, breast-feeding, and the beauty of aging in ways that defy the male gaze and strive for truthful portrayals over conforming to oppressive standards.Our conversation traces Jade's journey from growing up in Mexico, her beginnings in photography, the projects that changed the course of her career forever, and the controversy around portraying natural bodies.Some Questions I Ask:What can you tell us about your project Wise Bodies, Beautiful Elders? (0:49)Where did it all begin for you? (3:31)How did you happen upon photography? (6:59)How did you move from photographing yourself breastfeeding, to photographing others? (13:01)Do the men in your photographs also struggle with being bare? (24:23)What photographs or subjects were the more meaningful to you? (27:30)Some Questions I Ask:Why Jade sees being bare as the truest expression of self (2:13)How Jade’s passion for portraiture flourished in her teen days (8:18)How pregnancy and motherhood created a major shift in Jade’s artistic career (9:59)About Jade’s time with the Zapatistas (14:58)About the surprise controversy around openly breast feeding (18:49)How women’s bodies have become acceptable as marketing tools but not as mothers (22:14)Why Jade no longer doctors her photos (26:40)Resources:Jade's WebsiteJade's InstagramFind books by your favorite R&R Lab guests—all in one place! Check out the Continuum Bookshop today, powered by Bookshop.Org! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.