It’s not often you hear someone call themselves an “accessory” as opposed to an “ally,” defining that as someone offering up their skill sets to allow others to put themselves and their ideas out into the world. But that’s what Andrew Shearer authentically declares, with the creative work to back it up.
Known as the founder of the feminist filmmaking collective Gonzoriffic and as a local journalist for the Athens Banner-Herald, Shearer is putting another of his crafts on display with the Jan. 5 release of his nude photography and interview book Everybodies. The book features the stories of 22 diverse people—women, nonbinary and trans individuals of different sexualities and ethnicities—told through the pairing of two photos and an interview exploring the overarching question, “How has your relationship with your body changed over time?”
Although Shearer asked each participant the same three questions, their interviews are not transcribed Q&A style, but as the subjects talking and sharing their personal experiences. Most of the people are Athens locals, although there are some from Atlanta, where Shearer grew up, and a few people from Knoxville, TN. The common denominator is that everyone involved is a friend of his. For strategic reasons, everyone in the book is also between the ages of 30 and mid-50s.
“There’s this idea of women as they get older… like, there’s something wrong with seeing images of them with their clothes off. I think it’s because the body is sexualized and culture, which is a problem obviously, because there’s nothing sexual about the body at all. I feel like people need to see this. People need to hear these stories and the people that did it. It was a very powerful experience for them,” says Shearer. “A lot of people might look at what they did and think it’s brave, but it shouldn’t be an audacious act to just be your 100% self, you know?”
Everybodies is Shearer’s first experience publishing his work, but it’s not his first nude photography project. It all began with a maternity shoot for a close friend who felt more comfortable getting what she wanted with Shearer behind the camera, and that friend makes an appearance in this book. Having amassed a large collection of photos with supportive friends after that, Shearer exhibited galleries at Ciné in 2009 and the now-closed Trio Contemporary Art Gallery in 2017.
Earlier this year, Shearer was talking with a close friend, whose children have grown up with his own, about his inspiration to publish some of his raw and vulnerable work. She replied that she’s been telling him he should do a book for a long time, then the conversation turned to how much her body, as a dancer, has changed post-COVID. The discussion led to Shearer’s first interview and photoshoot, shaping the process for the rest of the book.
For Shearer, it was important that the photoshoots took place in places each person was comfortable with, often their homes, with the support of whoever made them feel comfortable and empowered. The main artistic goal was to capture each person as their casual, un-posed, authentic self.
“Every single one of them said that they felt incredible afterward. They said that it changed the way they saw themselves, and it changed the way that they felt about being naked,” says Shearer.
Now that Everybodies has been completed, Shearer sees this as an opportunity to continue the project at least every 10 years. As these people continue to age and their relationship with their body evolves, it’s great timing to catch up with everyone involved and update their story. Shearer adds, “That’s going to be more punk rock the older that we get.”
The release of Everybodies will be celebrated with an event at Ciné on Jan. 7 from 7:30–9:30 p.m. Copies of the book will be for sale, which is available only in print and not digital. Many of the people featured in the book will be in attendance, and Shearer plans to have a conversation on stage with some of those involved to give the audience a chance to better understand the process and the people.
“This book—it doesn’t hurt anybody to have a picture of you taken with your clothes off. It only helps make you more powerful. That’s been my takeaway from doing this,” says Shearer.
WHO: Everybodies Book Release and Panel Talk
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ciné
HOW MUCH: FREE!
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