Preserving Matuschka's Legacy
Matuschka is an American photographer, artist, author, activist, and model. Her self-portrait on the 1993 Sunday cover of The New York Times Magazine was chosen by LIFE for a special edition entitled 100 Photographs that Changed the World published in 2003 and again in 2011. The artist has been nominated for many awards, including a Pulitzer Prize, and has received dozens of citations, honors, and distinctions for her photographic works and activism since the early 1990s. In 2011 Matuschka appeared in John Loengard's imonograph The Age of Silver: Encounters with Great Photographers.
Matuschka's archive has 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 work, focusing on on the body has been published, exhibited and collected internationally by a variety of venues since the 80s. (see wikipedia page/bio)
Matuschka's contributions to art and society have been recognized globally. Her compelling work has earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a Gold from the World Press Foundation for "People in the News." She is also a recipient of the Rachel Carson Award (1994) for her environmental activism. Her photographs are included in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, The Museum of the City 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 Photo Archive brings together a rare collection of Matuschka’s most iconic images alongside collaborations with internationally recognised photographers and historical artifacts since 1970. The vintage collection features 35mm photographs, (and other formats) mostly taken and printed by Matuschka offering a comprehensive view of her self-portraits . Whether working with others, alone, or with an assistant, Matuschka is the author, director, make-up artist, hairstylist, wardrobe stylist, and master printer of the pictures she creates. Matuschka is the subject of all images on this website, except the obvious images of others in the fine art gallery.
This website features (7) Fine Art Photography Galleries, a detailed selection of its contents and a section representing Matuschka's career accomplishments. This website highlights key moments where her work has interesected with c ultural and political movements, underscoring her lasting legacy as both an artist and activist.
First Self-Portrait 1972
"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 devind 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 Cusak (High Times 1994)
Matuschka is a well-known activist, artist, model, photographer, designer, author and Renaissance mind. Several publications have listed Matuschka as being in the top 100 photographers of the 20th century. Special collections libraries wishing to broaden or increase the scope of their collection in important female photographers, female artists, and female activists should acquire these archives.
GALLERIES (7)
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.
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.
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 will define her photographic presence in her future compositions.
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 Matuschka's self-portraiture 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.
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. These photos expose self-expression beyond binaries, embracing ambiguity, and the freedom to exist in-between — or beyond — traditional definitions. 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 as a Coalminer (2000)
Arms Around You (1994)
Matuschka as "Guido" Self-Portrait 2000
Matuschka's androgeny images created between 1975-2021. Includes Black & White Silver Gelatin Prints and digital reproductions of various sizes. Shot on 35 mm & 2&1/4 film.
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 New York TImes Sunday Magazine Cover
1993
The Hand, (1992)
Post Surgery 1992 (Cervin)
THE ARCHIVES & ARTIFACTS
Matuschka's archive is carefully stored in climate-controlled conditions in archival boxes, protective sheets and portfolio cases. 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.
EL mundo cover and 1 other
SELECT COVERS 1979-2025
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.