tlashop.com

Grady Harp wrote on 02/21/2011:

Joan Crisol knows what he is about, beginning with the title he chose for this portfolio, CHULO. According to popular uses 'Chulo in Mexican slang refers to someone who is cute, hot, good looking etc.' But here the Spanish fashion photographer Crisol, working for internationally renowned magazines for years, like ROLLING STONE, ZERO and PLAYBOY, does not limit himself to men of any particular category except erotic. Yes, tattoos abound as do some outrageous stage props that allow Crisol to make some hefty statements. But for the photographs themselves these are richly colorful, well designed in layout and theme, and survey the spectrum of male models from grunge to sophistication.

The artist takes such pride in the composition he creates that he recognizes that the models are as important as his technique. In the latter portion of the book he lists each model by name and the pages on which each of the models are posed. Not only is this a generous, selfless gesture on the part of the artist, but it also gives the reader the opportunity to examine the many different poses (some being real surprises!) of the same model. This is a delightfully raw adventure book of some of the most 'chulo' models around!

Grady Harp