Photo by James A. Fox
For the first time The Soho Project Space in conjunction with The Male Image Archive present a photojournalistic catalogue and exhibition of museum caliber. OUT OF THE RING will be the inaugural launch of our Collection Privée series, showcasing the private international acquisitions of Gallery Director, Rocco L. Buonpane.
Opening Reception: Friday, November 8th, 6-8pm
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Special Events
Details coming soon
During the height of the Covid pandemic the estate and archive of celebrated photographer James A. Fox was made available at auction. The prestigious Me LUCIEN in Nogent, Paris was tasked with distributing the artist's personal effects and photographic archive to assist in paying for his retirement housing. Through financing and countless international communications, two thirds of the artist's archive, including photos, notes, and negatives had been obtained and brought to the United States. The preservation of such a spectacular and intimate collection of a master photographer's legacy in life and art, did not need a second thought. We present to you...
JAMES A. FOX
(1935 – 2022)
British photographer, born in Belgium in 1935
Co-founder of the Sygma agency, editor-in-chief of the famous Magnum Agency for 30 years, and close friend of many photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Josef Koudelka, René Burri, and Sebastião Salgado. James A. Fox (Jimmy) spent more than a quarter of his life tracking down boxing matches, immortalizing the greatest champions, such as Muhammed Ali, as well as those obscure to the public, from Paris to Madrid, from New York to Merrakesh. Jimmy created a magnificent body of work, making him one of the greatest masters in capturing "The Sweet Science" known as Boxing.
His own work as a photographer remained a long time secret, separating his day job from his "hobby", but since 1973 he had been relentlessly passionate about the world of boxing, and spent his nights or his vacations, with his camera slung over his shoulder on the edge of international rings, candidly catching moments backstage, and in gyms and locker rooms throughout the world.
His approach to boxing circles was truly unmatched and original, creating a genuine socio-documentary survey in photojournalism unlike any other.
The anonymous interested him much more than the Stars , the "show biz" and the glitter, what fascinated him was to capture a certain truth, the "magic moment", the tension before the fight, the relaxation in the locker room, the rituals and preparations (the importance of the hands...), the side effects of The Ring, and the incomparable beauty of the male form.
Sharing an intimate and personal bond with Joël Bonnetaz, unknown to the general public but nevertheless at the time champion of France and European super welterweight challenger, of an undeniable emotional charge, turned into the heart of Jim's work.
"The Ring is a stage on which a drama unfolds: on the verge of life and death, actors without dialogue wonder if, when the curtain falls, they will emerge unscathed..."
— James A. Fox, 1986
The photographs in this exhibition will form the material of one of the most remarkable photographic bodies on Boxing ever seen by the public today. A small and limited selection of art will be available for sale to discerning collectors.
Obituary and History:
RIP Jimmy Fox, Magnum's 'eye' | Magnum Photos
In memoriam : Jimmy Fox (1935-2022) by Michel Puech - The Eye of Photography Magazine
Gallery Hours:
Thursday and Friday: 4–8PM
Saturday: 2–6pm
Gallery closed: December 26th and January 2nd
Exhibition Views
Installation photography by Da Ping Luo