Small aluminium print
Chilling Between Takes (Undressing Line)
Photo taken in the 1980s
by Michael Joseph
Size: 20 cm (h) × 15 cm (w)
Medium: Aluminium print
Format: Small Format Print on Aluminium
Edition: Later print
A candid yet knowingly theatrical poolside moment, this image captures a line of swimmers caught between readiness and reveal. Arranged along the platform in rhythmic succession, the figures shift weight, adjust straps, and glance sideways — suspended in a charged interval before movement begins.
Rendered in warm monochrome, the photograph heightens the interplay of skin, shadow, and structure. The strong geometry of beams and numbered blocks contrasts with the fluid curvature of hips, shoulders, and thighs. Repetition becomes choreography: each body echoes the next, creating a visual cadence that feels both playful and poised.
There is a cheeky sensuality in the collective gesture — confident, self-aware, and entirely unforced. The moment feels intimate but not private, stylised yet spontaneous. Strength and softness coexist in the way the figures occupy space, transforming a simple pause into a study of composure, rhythm, and feminine presence.
Created during Michael Joseph’s exploration of athletic form and staged symmetry in the 1980s, this work demonstrates his ability to merge documentary immediacy with refined aesthetic control. The tonal warmth lends the scene a nostalgic glow while preserving its crisp compositional clarity.
Printed on aluminium, the smooth surface enhances contrast and depth, giving the image a contemporary edge while maintaining the atmosphere of its original era.
A refined and collectible work, presented in a small-format edition and available exclusively through this gallery.
Before checkout, we invite you to explore and collect other pieces from the Small Format collection. Thank you.
#MichaelJoseph #ChillingBetweenTakes #1980sPhotography #SmallFormatArt #FigurativePhotography #PoolSeries #AluminiumPrint #VintageAesthetic #ArtCollectors #WomenInMotion
