Book Review

Beth Adams, from Pacific Book Review, offers a typical response to Stull's work in her book review.

“Renowned French photographer Gilles Peress once said, “I don’t trust words, I trust pictures.” This theme of unabashed clarity is brought to viewers in the work of artist Patrick Stull, with his collection of 15 years’ worth of work revealed in Encounters – moments of inspiration. 

Impeccably compiled, printed and edited, Encounters pages as if viewers are taken through a gallery of the artist’s photographs; revolving around various themes of primarily women, the human form, dance; each of the collections having the unique penetrating viewing of the subjects’ soul. From the captivating cover photograph of a woman’s hypnotizing stare from halfway behind a veil, the power and intensity of Stull’s work intrigues viewers from the onset. Within the covers are scores of unique and creative photographs showing categorized collections of subjects from many ages, races and shapes; yet common to each photograph is an intensity of form which holds viewers’ attention to a point of freezing their mind into an abyss of realization of an image never before seen. The terse commentary written by the artist on accompanying pages reads as an expert curation of the moment captured, offering insight into his inspiration, as well as details enabling readers a personal connection to the model or subject in the photograph. 

The systematic paging of this coffee-table printed format offers an experience showcasing the artist’s career of the pursuit of original, impactful, inspiring and imprinting memories, which will richen the depth of reader’s appreciation of the human body in ways never before seen. 

I was taken by many of the dance postures of the subjects; some rather twisted in ways a contortionist would achieve only after years of stretching. “Mirror effects” in the printing of photographs, forming unique symmetry of shapes, are used frequently to bring an extraordinary novel observation to the primary curves of the feminine body. The surface texture of skin is often embellished with make-up, tattoos, or visual stop-action moments of using props such as powder-like substances; again to achieve creative impact. Primarily black-and-white photographs dominate the collection; however at the end is an abstract section of colors, shapes and textures, overlaying each other forming ergonomic patterns. Interestingly, between sections, are segue drawings reminiscent of Rorschach images tantalizing readers’ minds into seeing whatever they wish to see within the ink-blots, so to speak. 

Humble with his use of words, powerful with his images, and gentlemanly respectful of his subjects, Patrick Stull has achieved a life’s portfolio of original Encounters, moments of inspiration which is appropriate for the title of this exquisite publication. This is a gorgeous book full of awe and inspiration, a trophy to the celebration of this talented artist.”