From Ann Jastrab’s article discussing the artist Lissa Rivera and her series “Beautiful Boy”:
“I first saw Lissa Rivera’s “Beautiful Boy” series at Filter Photo Festival in Chicago. There was a buzz about her work amongst the reviewers. I hadn’t had a formal portfolio review with her, so I was curious. I glimpsed the images (she was surrounded by onlookers) at the Festival’s Portfolio Walk where it ended up she was the winner of that year’s People’s Choice Award. Not a surprise.
I was delighted to rediscover this series while jurying Photolucida’s Critical Mass competition earlier this month. I had forgotten not just the strength of Rivera’s picture making, but the bravery of her subject. This “beautiful boy” is revealing his secrets, not just to the photographer, but to us, the audience, the public.”