Surface Tension III

The Surface Tension series is a study of the delicate relationship between levity and tension in a series shot in and around Los Angeles. This work marks a departure from the artist’s highly regarded portraiture in subject matter only. Hoerner applies his portrait technique to these organic and sculptural shapes by creating a sense of animate beings caught in a moment. The resulting tension is palpable. By staging these moments throughout the city of Los Angeles, a strange-and-quirky focus emerges that is the mark of Hoerner’s work.

Born in Los Angeles, California, as a child, he built box cameras with his father. After graduating from Wheaton College he created editorial work for clients such as The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian Observer, GQ , Vogue, Details, Nylon, and i-D.

Alex has worked with BBH, Chiat Day, and GSD&M on campaigns for AT&T, Visa, Southwest, Samsung among others. In 2010, Alex and his family returned to Los Angeles from nearly a decade of living in New York. He has shown his fine art photographs in galleries around the world.

Alex Hoerner