Allan I. Teger

Allan-I-Teger-BodyscapesPeople often ask me where the idea for my Bodyscapes® originated. I have to confess that it didn't come from an interest in photographing nudes or from studio photography. Self taught as a photographer, I was originally trained as a social psychologist. Bodyscapes® evolved from my study of psychology.

During the 70's I was involved in teaching and academic counseling at the University of Pennsylvania, and had volunteered as a drug counselor at a free clinic in Philadelphia. I had begun to feel that traditional academic psychology wasn't really addressing the issues of the inner journey or the way in which we view the world.

Books on consciousness, mysticism, meditation, drug experiences and altered realities were just beginning to make it into popular culture. As a result, my interests began to evolve and my teaching became less traditional. I began teaching my students to meditate. We were reading the Tao Te Ching, The Bhagavad-Gita, books by Ram Dass, Carl Rogers. Castenada, Huxley, Watts and others. The concepts of altered realities, subjective reality, and mystical consciousness were becoming a part of my thinking.

I wanted to demonstrate in art the ideas that I was studying and teaching. The theme that occupied my thoughts was one of multiple realities. I had read many accounts of adventures in mystical consciousness and was certain that the most basic concept to understand and accept is that two realities can exist simultaneously. Both can be correct even though each is different. In 1975 I turned to photography as the medium to illustrate the coexistence of two realities.

I remember the moment that the idea for Bodyscapes® came to me. I was thinking that the shape and structure of the universe repeated itself at every level and suddenly I had the image in my mind of a skier going down a breast. This was it - the universe repeating its shapes - a body looking like a mountain. It was also an example of two realities coexisting. The picture could be seen as a landscape and it could also be seen as a body. Although they were different, both perceptions were right at the same time. I knew instantly that I had an entire series of images waiting to be captured on film.

Within a week or two I had my first model and began shooting. I was a complete newcomer in the world of art. I had never taken a course in photography, art, or art history, and had no idea that other people had ever thought of the similarity of bodies and landscapes. So I approached the project with naive energy, convinced that I was breaking new ground with each exposure.

I created these images by placing toys and miniatures on the body and shooting the picture as a single exposure. I knew it was possible to produce multiple exposure images such as photo montages, but felt that if it were to appear real to the viewer, it had to actually be real at some level...with the figure and the body together at the same time. Furthermore, I didn't want to resort to camera or darkroom tricks as that would make the work less credible. Now with the advent of digital photography, most people assume that any unusual photograph is a product of photoshop. However, I still work the way I began. I set the toys and the model and make a single exposure. I do not construct the image in photoshop.

Over the years I have discovered that art can be fun and serious at the same time. I have always believed that in the end an artist needs to communicate to the viewer, and involve them in the work to complete the experience. I feel that my art is complete when a viewer reacts to it. I have enjoyed creating Bodyscapes® and I enjoy sharing them with others and seeing their response.

It is always fun and interesting to see people discover for the first time, that the landscapes that they were looking at were really human bodies. Some people never see it until their friends point it out to them. Some look at the whole collection and then ask me what I mean by "Bodyscapes"®, or ask me which mountains I photographed. It's hard to keep a straight face as they puzzle over the photographs - knowing they are missing something and looking for clues to the answer.

My favorite story is about a couple with a young boy who appeared to be five years old. His parents asked him if he knew where the photographs had been taken. He answered with great certainty.'Yes", he said, 'California'! Some parents use the photographs as a teaching opportunity - pointing out the beauty of the naked body as a landscape. Several times I have seen young children explain to their older, less observant parents, the hidden truth of the images.

Some people hang these images in their homes and offices and their families and friends do not realize for years that the images contain bodies. Therapists tell me they could psychoanalyze me because of this work. I have had people tell me I am "sick" (usually with a smile!), and others tell me that I brighten their day and give them a new way of looking at the world. Some ask where I get the "little people", and others ask where I find a landscape that looks just like a body. Some are serious, some are joking - but, in the end, I find that people are generally fascinated by them.

My interest in photography began when I received my first camera at the age of 13. In both high school and college I was the photography editor of the newspaper and yearbook. I then put photography on hold while I pursued a career in psychology. I began the Bodyscapes in l975 and left academics in l981 to devote my full time to art photography.

Most of the Bodyscapes®  were shot with a medium format Mamiya RB67 and either Tri-X or T-Max film. I continued to shoot film and print in the darkroom until 2014. When my enlarger burned out and I was unable to replace parts, I  made the transition to digital capture and printing. I now shoot with a Nikon D300 and print with Epson 2880 and 7900 printers.

ALLAN TEGER

2125 Seagrape Drive Vero Beach, FL 32963

Cell: 845-430-8388 e-mail: alteger@gmail.com

 

www.bodyscapes.com   www.teger.com

www.allanteger.com

 


ONE PERSON SHOWS


2024

Gallery 14, Vero Beach FL


2019

Center for Spiritual Care, Vero Beach, FL

Ann Jackson Gallery, Rosewell, GA

Divani Medical Center, Sebastian, FL


2018

Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH


2017

Gallery 14, Vero Beach, FL

Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH

Jackson Jung Gallery, Chicago, IL


2016

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL

Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH


2015

Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH

Center for Spiritual Care, Vero Beach, FL

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL


2014

Darby Gallery, Vero Beach, FL

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL

Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH


2013

Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, NV

Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH


2011

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL

2009

Yours truly Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI


2000
Art and Soul Gallery, Woodstock, NY


1999

Forms Gallery, Delray, Fl


1996
Lake Avenue Gallery, Lake Worth, FL


1995
Hooloomooloo, Boston, MA

Gallery On the Square, Roanoke, VA


1994
James Beard Foundation, New York, N.Y.


1988
Susan Spiritus Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA


1986
Neo Deco, Chicago, IL
Gallery at Young & Rubican, NYC, NY


1985
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO

 

1984
Jacqueline's, NYC, NY.




GROUP SHOW

2025

Fifth Ave. Gallery, Melbourne, FL

 

2024

Center for Spritual Care, Vero Beach, FL

Gallery Veritas, Vero Beach, FL

Dirty Show, Detroit MI

Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR

Friends of Contemporary Art, Vero Beach, FL

Naturalist Gallery, Online

Jackson Jung Gallery, Chicago, IL


 

2023

Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach FL

Orlando Nude Nite, Orlando, FL

Dirty Show, Detroit, MI

Jackson Jung Gallery, Chicago, IL


2022

Trolley Barn Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY

PhotoSpiva 2022, Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO

Galllerium, online exhbit: Nudus 2022

Park Ave. Contemporary Art Gallery, Winter Park, FL (2 person show)

2021

Cleveland Photo Fest, Cleveland, OH

bG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

Gallery 114, Portland, OR

Foosaner Museum of Art, Melbourne, FL

Pacer Center Gallery, Parker, CO


2020

Praxis Gallery, St. Paul, MN

Art Impact International (virtual gallery)


2018

Jackson Jung Gallery, Chicago, IL

Duncan Miller Gallery, “ Your daily photograph” online


2017

Hammer and Nails Gallery, Miami FL

Detroit Dirty Show

2016

Spectrum, Miami, FL

Art Undressed, Miami, FL


2015

ArtPrize Seven, Grand Rapids, MI

Wheelhouse Gallery, “Cupid's Arrow”, Santa Fe, NM

Lighthouse Art Center Museum, “Contempo”, juried by Elayne Mordes - WhiteSpace Gallery, Tequesta, FL

Detroit Dirty Show

Art Undressed, Miami, FL

2014

Art Undressed, Miami, FL

Jackson Junge Gallery, “Eat, drink, and be Merry”, Chicago, IL


2013

Soho Gallery for Digital Art, NY, NY

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL (two person show)

1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR

East End Arts, Riverhead, NY


2012

DC.MOCA, Washington, DC

Rochester Erotic Arts Show

Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, NV

Detroit Dirty Show


2011

Art Life Gallery, Jensen Beach, Fl.

Dacia Gallery, “The Modern Landscape,” New York, NY

Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH (two person show)

Serenity Gallery, Lancaster, Pa.

Detroit Dirty Show Detroit, MI

Seattle Erotic Art Show


2010

Detroit Dirty Show

Seattle Erotic Art Show

Rochester Erotic Art Festival

2009

Carmel Film Festival and Photography Exhibit, Carmel, CA

Pennellos Gallery, Cleveland, OH

Detroit Dirty Show, Detroit MI

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota Fl (two person show)

CPop Gallery, Detroit, MI

Seattle Erotic Arts Festival, Seattle, WA

Art Undressed, Miami FL (traveling to 5 cities in USA)

2008

Pennello Gallery, Cleveland, OH (two person show)

Streetwise Gallery, Detroit, MI

Detroit Dirty Show, Detroit, MI

Hibiscus Center Traveling Exhibition,

Vero Beach Fl

Kinsey Institute Juried Art Show, Bloomington, IN

James Schot Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Erotic Signature Traveling Exhibition,

Miami , Montreal, Berlin

New England International Erotic Art Show, Provincetown, MA


2007

Dabbert Gallery, Sarasota, FL (two person show)

Body Beautiful Show, Windsor, Ont, Canada

James Schot Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Severence Gallery, Detroit MI.

Orlando Nude Night, Orlando, FL


2006
Lake Wales Art Center, Lake Wales Fl


2005
Backus Gallery, Ft. Pierce, Fl
Bonnet House Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Dog and Pony Show Gallery, Naples, Fl


2004
Eisemann Center, Richardson, TX
Barnsite Gallery, Kewaunee, WI
Washington Gallery of Photography, Bethesda, MD.
Orange Country Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA


1999
Woodstock Artists Association, Woodstock, NY
Li Daniels Gallery, Rosendale, NY


1997
Liss Gallery. Toronto, Ontario, CANADA

Swann Gallery, Detroit, MI


1995
Museum of Our National Heritage, Lexington, MA.

Somerstown Gallery, Somers, NY


1994
Griffin Ctr. for Photographic Art, Winchester, Ma.
Westport Art Center, Westport CT.


1991
Vermont State Craft Center, Middlebury, Vt.


1990
Photographic Image Gallery, Portland, OR
Newton Art Center, Newton, MA


1989
Alternatives 89, Siegfried Gallery, Athens, OH


1988
Jannes Art Gallery, Chicago, IL
Douglas Albert Gallery, State College, PA


1987
Susan Spiritus Gallery, Newport Beach, CA


1986
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO


1985
Mills Gallery, Boston, MA
Quinn-Frank Gallery, Denver, CO


1983
PhotoShow Intl.Gallery, touring United States
Mills Gallery, Boston, MA
Atelier 564, Newton, MA


1981
Mazur-Mazur Gallery, Deerfield, IL
Sylvia Ullman's Crafts Gallery, Cleveland, OH


1980
PhotoShow Intl. Gallery, touring United States


1979
Mobilia, Cambridge, MA
PhotoShow Intl. Gallery, touring United States


1978
Mobilia, Cambridge, MA
Wadsworth Gallery, Devon, PA



PUBLICATIONS:

           2024

           Canvas Rebel, Miami, Fl


2023

New South Finds ,com

Canvasrebel.com

Mocamag (France)


2022

Artistonish Magazine

2021

Xataka Photo (Spain)

Blauwe Wimple (Dutch maritime magazine)

Interview in Problographer


2020

Monovisions Magazine


2019

Separee (Germany)

hr1.de (German media website)


2018

YourDailyPhotograph.com

Monthly Photography (South Korea)


2017

Mokamag (France)


2015

     Eros Magazine, Fine Art Nudes

Bare Your Beauty, Bodyscapes Book By Allan Teger,

published by Lunchbox Salon

Bikinis and Martinis, Thailand

 

2014

Joongang Daily (South Korea)



2013

Techmac (China)

Zupi Art Magazine (Brazil)

Advanced Images (Kuala Lumpur)

Purple Clover (web magazine)


2012

Bodyscape book, Schiffer Books

20 Minutos (Spanish newspaper and webpage)

Huffington Post.Com

MSNBC. Com


2011

Playboy (Russian edition)

Focus Extra (Italy)

Cupido Magazine (Norway)

The Culture of Transbaikalia (Siberia)

Visions of Erotica: A Midwest Perspective (book)

Environmental Grafitti (web magazine)

The Sun (London)

The Metro (London)

Scottish Dailey Record (Scotland)

LeMagdarqroom (France) web

DailyMailOnline (England) web

2009

Sunshine Artists (cover story)

Posters, GBeye, UK

Echo of the Planet, Moscow, Russia

World’s greatest Erotic Art of Today, vol. III

2008

The Worlds Greatest Erotic Art of Today, vol.II

Digital Photography Magazine UK

Digital Photography Magazine Spain (cover story)

2007

Macro Photography, Kamps, H.J., Wiley (book)

Times of the Island, Sanibel, Fl (cover story)

American Social Psychology Quarterly (cover story)

Twin Cities Luxury and Fashion, Minn. MN


2006

PhotoDelo Magazine, Moscow Russia
Art Fairs International Magazine


2005
Uptown Show Poster, Minneapolis, MN


2004
FHM (Hungary and Indonesia)
Deco Posters , Posters International, Toronto Canada


2003
GQ (Italy and Spain)
FHM (U.K. and Singapore)


2002
Esquire Magazine


2001

Wisconsin Review

AutoForum , Germany
Dreamscape Posters, Posters International, Toronto Canada

2000

TidensMind, Germany

People Magazine, Australia

Clockwork Magazine, Germany


1999
Tomorrow Magazine, Germany

displayed in film “Erin Brockovich”


1998


Forbidden Art, Naomi, Schiffer, (book)


1995
BODYSCAPES™ Book, Shade Tree Press, Ft. Meyers, FL


1994
Cover photo of Soc. of Commercial Arch. magazine
CD record album cover, Jay Anderson's "Local Color"


1992
DINER Calendar, Pomegranate Publications

Posters, Art Resources, Brewster, N.Y.


1991
Greeting cards, Pomegranate Publications


1989
Posters, Waterline Publications, Boston, MA
DECO Calendar, Landmark General, Novato, CA


1988
BODYSCAPES™ Poster, Capital Concepts Publishing, VA


  1. Playboy Magazine


1981 Northern Ohio Live Magazine


1978 Boston Magazine


1977 National Shorthand Reporter, Cover photo


1976 National Lampoon Magazine



AWARDS AND RECOGNITION


2022

Merit Award, Isle of 8 Flags Festival

Member of the jury for MonoVisions photography awards

2021

Member of the jury for the MonoVisions photography awards

Best of Show, Lakewood Arts Festival, Lakewood, OH

2020

Bronze star award, Fine Art – Nude category, ND photo awards


2017

Award of Honor, Winter Park Autumn Art Festival

Cocoa Beach Art Festival, First in Photography

 

2016

Invited Address, Vero Beach Art Club, at the Vero Beach Museum

Award of Distinction, Melbourne Art Festival


2015

Eros Magazine, Fine Art Nudes, 3rd Place

Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Judges Selection

Vero Beach, Under the Oaks, 3rd place Photography and Mixed Media

 

2014

Armonk Art Festival, First place, mixed media

Black Swamp Art Festival, Honorable Mention


2013

Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Award of Merit

Soho Gallery for Digital Art, Rural Impressions show, Honorable Mention

Boca Raton Fine Art Show, Award of Excellence

East End Gallery H2O show, Honorable Mention


           2012

           Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Judges Selection

           Space Coast Art Festival, Merit Award

           Virginia Highlands Art Festival, First Place, Photography

           Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Second Place, Photography

           Bonita Springs Art Festival, Award of Distinction

           Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas, Best of Show


           2011

           Great Gulfcoast Art Festival Judges Award


           2010

           Vero Beach Under the Oaks Art Festival, First Place, Photography

          Magic City Art Festival, Birmingham, AL, Merit award

Seattle Erotic Art Show, First Place, Audience Choice National Award

Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, Award of Distinction


2009

Seattle Erotic Art Show, First Place, Audience Choice, National Award

Boca Museum art festival, Merit Award

Cape Coral Art Festival, First in photography


2008

Pigeon key art festival, First in photography

Space Coast art festival, Merit Award


2007

Melbourne Masters Show, Best in Show

Arts, Beats, and Eats, Award of Excellence

Pigeon Key Art Festival, First in Photography

Celebration Art Festival, Award of Merit


2006

Space Coast Art Festival, Cocoa Beach Fl, 3rd Place, Photography
Medina OH Arts Festival - Best in Show
Celebration FL Arts Festival - Best in Show
Ft. Myers Art Fest, 1st place, 2-dimensional
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 1st place, Photography
Vero Beach Art Club, 1st place, photography


2005
Vero Beach Art Club, 3rd place photography
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd place, Photography
Bonita Springs Art Festival, Award of Distinction

Shaw Art Fair, 3rd place, 2-dimensional



2004

     Pinnacle Gold Award for Uptown Poster
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd Place, Photography
Fine Art at the Village, Rochester Hills, MI, 2nd place, 2-D
Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, Il. Merit Award
Medina Art Festival, Medina, OH Third Place, Non-traditional, 2-D
Melburne Art Festival, FL. 1st Place, 2-D


2003
Pigeon Key Art Festival, 2nd place, Photography
Old Saybrook Art Fesitval, Best in Show
Lac Ste.Claire Art Festival, 2nd Place, 2-D
Bayou City Arts Festival, Houston, Best in Photography


2002
Boston Mills Art Fesitval, 1st Place, Multiple Images
Armonk Art Festival, honorable mention
Festival of the Masters, Merit Award
Pigeon Key Art festival, 2nd Place, Photography


2001
Key Biscayne Art Festival, Merit Award
Atlanta Dogwood Festival, 3rd Place, Fine Art
Boston Mills Art Festival, 1st Place ,Multiple Images
SoNo Arts Celebration, Excellence in Photography


1999
Poster Artist, Gasparilla Art Festival
Woodstock Artists Association, Honorable Mention
Key Biscayne Art Festival, Merit Award
Televised interview on German television show “Peep”


1998
St. Stephens Art Festival, 1st Place


1998
Key Biscayne Art festival, 1st Prize, Photography


1997
Shadyside Arts Fesitval, Jurors Award


1995
Boca Fiesta Art Festival, First Place


1993
Miami Beach Festival of Art 1st Prize, Photography


1992
Armonk Art Festival 1st Prize, Photography
Coconut Grove Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography


1990
Beaux Arts Festival, Best in Photography
Society of Commercial Archeology Photo Contest, Runner up.


1989
Images 89, Award of Commendation
Beaux Arts Festival, Award of Distinction
Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair, Award of Distiniction


1988
Miami Beach Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography


1986
Coconut Grove Art Festival, 2nd Prize, Photography
Nationally televised interview: Playboy Video Network

1985


Coconut Grove Art Festival, 1st Prize, Photography


1984
Invited Address: New York Art Directors Club, NYC, NY


1978
Printing Institute of America, Award Certificate

 


COLLECTIONS & INSTALLATIONS:

           Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

California State University Museum, Long Beach, CA

IBM, Atlanta, GA

Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

The Sycamores, Altadena, CA

Emerald Square Mall, Attleboro, MA

Kinsey Institute collection

World Erotic Art Museum


 

MEMBERSHIPS:

       National Association of Independent Artists

          Who’s Who in America

          Vero Beach Art Club


EDUCATION:

B.A Lafayette College, 1964

M.A. University of Delaware, 1966

Ph.D. State University of New York at Buffalo, 1969