Barros, Ricardo. Facing Sculpture: A Portfolio of Portraits, Sciupture and Related Ideas by Ricardo Barros.

Image Spring Press. 2004. Hardcover with dust jacket, like new. Introduction by Nick Capasso.  166 pages.  Portraits in black-and-white photos by Barros of sculptors with picture of their sculpture on facing page. At time of publication, Barros had been the principal photographer at Grounds for Sculpture and its founder, J. Seward Johnson, Jr. is one of the sculptors included in the this remarkable collection of portraits of 61 artists. Others depicted include Joseph Acquah, Ming Fay, John Goodyear, Luis Jimenez, Marisol, Paul Matisse, George Segal, Jonathan Shahn, Marilyn Simon, Autin Wright, et al.  Summary:

Facing Sculpture  is a photographic art book that explores the creative intersection between portraiture and sculpture through the lens of photographer Ricardo Barros. The volume comprises  richly composed images that bring together portraits of contemporary sculptors alongside depictions of their work, accompanied by insightful texts that deepen the viewer’s understanding of each artist’s creative presence.

The book presents about sixty distinctive portraits, each uniquely composed, lit, and conceived to reflect not only the sculptor’s physical likeness but the psychological and creative dialogue between artist and medium. Barros’s approach avoids a formulaic style; instead, he fosters an intuitive collaboration with his subjects that brings out nuances of personality and artistic identity. These portraits and associated images aim to merge the human being with their sculptural expression, revealing how each artist faces their material and ideas.

Curator Nick Capasso’s introduction frames the work within contemporary sculpture, emphasizing Barros’s ability to engage deeply with his subjects and make images that are both formally compelling and psychologically resonant. In an extensive photographer’s afterword, Barros reflects on his experiences making these portraits and on the evolution of his artistic vision.

The book is celebrated not just as a documentary of sculptors but as a creative and reflective art project that blurs the boundaries between sculpture and photography. Reviews highlight Barros’s sensitivity, critical nuance, and ability to draw viewers into a deeper appreciation of both the artists and their work.

Facing Sculpture is therefore both a visual tribute to sculptural creativity and a thoughtful meditation on how photographic portraiture can reveal the inner life of artists and their art.

Ricardo Barros (born 1953) is a Brazilian-born American commercial, fine art, and portrait photographer recognized for his mastery of available light and his contemplative visual studies. Born in Brazil, Barros later established his career and studio practice in the United States, working extensively across the mid-Atlantic region. He is particularly celebrated for his extensive project documenting contemporary sculptors, which culminated in the acclaimed monograph Facing Sculpture: A Portfolio of Portraits, Sculpture, and Related Ideas (2004). In this work, Barros pairs stark, insightful portraits of artists—such as George Segal, Marisol, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Chakaia Booker—with visual references to their artwork and working environments. Over a career spanning both traditional analog darkroom printing and modern digital techniques, Barros has received awards including New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowships, and his photographs are held in the permanent collections of major institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Fogg Art Museum, and the Museum of Art of São Paulo.