Charles Fréger
For over two decades, French photographer Charles Fréger has developed a distinctive and extensive body of work with an almost encyclopedic scope. Born in 1975 and based in Normandy, France, Fréger focuses his lens on various communities—be they sporting, military, festive, or academic—to explore the individuals within them and the visual codes, rituals, and uniforms that bind them together. His photography often treats the body and clothing as complex territories where identity is expressed and constructed.
Initially gaining recognition for his series titled “Photographic Portraits and Uniforms,” Fréger’s approach evolved, incorporating elements of performance and video, lending his work an increasingly theatrical dimension. He travels widely, immersing himself in different societal groups to create formal, empathetic portraits of their members, often presented in full or half-length formats.
Since 2010, his focus has expanded significantly towards masquerades and costumes that suggest transformations, moving beyond traditional uniforms. This led to major projects documenting elaborate folk traditions and ritual attire across continents:
- Wilder Mann: Capturing depictions of the mythic “wild man” figure in European folk festivals.
- Yokainoshima: Exploring festival costumes and characters from Japanese folklore.
- Cimarron: Documenting masquerades practiced by descendants of African slaves across the Americas, celebrating their heritage and histories of resistance.
- Aam Aastha: Focusing on representations of incarnations and divinities in India.
More recently, starting around 2015, Fréger began experimenting with silhouetted photography. This work often engages with figures from common visual culture, like Joan of Arc, shifting the focus from the person to the history and cultural usage of their representations. This involves blending historical iconography with contemporary perspectives.
Internationally acclaimed for his subtle and poetic style, Fréger uses portraiture as a form of contemporary anthropology. His work thoughtfully examines social structures, identity, and the power of clothing—from uniforms to elaborate costumes—as a “second skin” that is both individual and unifying. He continues to exhibit his work widely and published three new books in 2023
Website: https://www.charlesfreger.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesfreger/
