Nudes, Flowers in a Happy Accident

At the bottom of the artwork is a seated nude who seems to shy from the camera. One hand is thrown over her face. On top of her are sepia and lace flower prints. On top of that is a pane of shattered glass.

The artwork of Clayton Spada of Fullerton, a scientist and photographer whose work is on display at the Cypress College Photography Gallery, is much deeper than the two dimensions usually associated with his medium.

“Garden Variety Nudes,” the series of 14 manipulated color photographs, has at least three levels.

First is the model, a nude whose face is either hidden or cropped out of the work. The way the models are posed and photographed is a reaction to photography books that offer step-by-step instructions for photographing women, Spada said.

“Those books are very impersonal. The way they tell you to shoot is very formulaic, so the shots you get are impersonal, garden variety,” Spada, 42, said. “That’s the first level of the pun.”

The second level is easier to spot: Superimposed over each model is a floral motif, either subtle or psychedelic. The designs are created with fabric, chosen by the models and Spada, which is exposed onto the photographic paper.

In this way, each model is in her own garden, Spada says.

On top of the photographs, Spada has attached leaves, flower petals or other designs. Some of the pieces have a Victorian quality, Spada’s third level of the pun.

“When I look at these together, the models and flowers, then I think we have the Victorian era--a time when we couldn’t distinguish between nudity, sex and sexuality,” Spada said.

By day a biologist involved in vision research at Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Spada has been pursuing photography since he received a Brownie camera when he was about 8, he said.

Although he has never used a camera to make a living, Spada has had wildlife studies published in Natural History magazine and photography magazines.

In one of the photos in the exhibit, a pale woman appears buried under autumn leaves, perhaps drowned in a leaf-covered lake. In another, the slashes Spada made in the print appeared sinister.

“I never really know what’s going to come out,” Spada said. “I just keep looking for the happy accident.”

“Garden Variety Nudes” will be displayed through Dec. 18. A public reception for Spada will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Photography Gallery in the Industrial Education Building, Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St., Cypress. For more information call (714) 826-2220, Ext. 244.