Carface

The Carface project is a series of photographs of the “faces” of these toy Matchbox cars from the mid-1960s and 1970s. I chose a head-on view of the toys to portray the strongest, most unique part of any subject, the face. The use of a square composition, shallow focus, and a rich black background together emphasize the power of this portrayal. The toys are nearly as old as I am, and they too bear the scratches, chips, and accumulated imperfections from life’s wear and tear.

Until the early 1970s, Janet worked most of her adult life at a corner store in a rural Pennsylvania town. As each new toy reached the store, Janet purchased it for her growing collection. “They might be worth something someday”, she would say. When I grew up and moved away, she proudly gave me the collection of over 100 toys, coupled with a wood display case hand-crafted by her husband George. Janet (1917-2019) and George (1915-2016) are my grandparents.

Selections from the project were shown at SCOPE Miami 2018, and the project has been featured in Float MagazineISO1200.com Photography Magazine, and Ed Verosky instructional videos. Further publishing and exhibition opportunities are welcome.

The Carface project is featured in a 36-page booklet with 20 full-color images. The booklet and individual fine art prints on 8.5×11 paper are available in the Jeff Kauffman Art Shop. Larger prints can be purchased as limited-edition fine art originals at Saatchi Art.

From the Carface portfolio. Carface Booklet cover, a booklet of the photos of vintage matchbox cars. Photos by ©Jeff Kauffman
From the Carface portfolio. Carface Booklet Inside Spread. A inside spread of a booklet of the photos of vintage matchbox cars. Photos by ©Jeff Kauffman
From the Carface portfolio. Carface Booklet Full Spread. A full page spread of a booklet of the photos of vintage matchbox cars. Photos by ©Jeff Kauffman
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