Sunde, Christian. Christian Sunde. Metaphors of Intimacy. August 24 - October 22, 1990.

Robert B. Menschel Gallery, No. 21, Syracuse University. Text by Jeffrey Hoone, Director, Light Work. Exhibition catalog, 12 pages printed on one folded large sheet with 11 illustrations. Includes nude subjects. Fine.  

Christian Gunnar Sunde (1939–2022) was an American photographer, Peace Corps volunteer, and educator known for his documentary work and intimate, evocative photographic projects. Born in New York City, Sunde served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Gabon, Africa, where he began capturing extensive documentary photography in Central Africa alongside his later self-financed international photography travels. He went on to teach as a member of the photography faculty at the Pratt Institute and maintained an active practice throughout his life. Sunde gained recognition for his fine art photography and exhibition projects—notably his 1990 solo exhibition and monograph Metaphors of Intimacy at Syracuse University's Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery—and his photographs were published in major outlets, including Time-Life books, and showcased in numerous gallery settings.

Metaphors of Intimacy is an exhibition catalog that documents a solo exhibition of photographic work centered on deep personal connection.

Key Elements of the Work

• The Imagery: The catalog features 11 black-and-white photographs b Christian Sunde that showcase a deeply personal and vulnerable body of work. The collection focuses heavily on intimate portraiture and includes nude subjects.

• The Visual Style: True to the theme of intimacy, the imagery relies on delicate textures, striking light and shadow, and close-up compositions. The photographs treat the human form not merely as a physical object, but as a vessel for psychological depth and emotional connection.

• The Text: The publication features a brief, insightful introduction that contextualizes the imagery, guiding the viewer through the layered, metaphoric meanings behind the quiet and highly sensitive frames.

Narrative Intent

The catalog serves as a visual and textual exploration of human proximity and emotional exposure. By stripping away external distractions, the work uses the camera to decode the unspoken, fragile vulnerabilities of close relationships, mapping the subtle boundary where physical closeness transforms into psychological intimacy.