Poems, the latest photobook by artist Christopher Robin Duncan, published by Deadbeat Club, offers a thoughtful and experimental meditation on time, nature, and the elements. Duncan, an Oakland-based multidisciplinary artist, is known for his work in textiles and sound, but Poems marks a return to a photographic practice driven by an intuitive and direct relationship with the natural world.
The images in Poems are taken using a 35mm half-frame camera. This technique allows for the capturing of two images in quick succession, slightly shifting perspective between shots. The result is a duality that invites viewers to see two sides of the same moment. The themes of doubling and time are central to this work, as Duncan’s photos embody suspended moments that resonate like a visual poem.
The title of the book, Poems, is apt: Duncan’s images communicate in the same way that poetry does, offering visual “rhymes” and a cyclical rhythm that echoes through changing seasons and the natural elements—light, air, water, wind, and earth. These cycles suggest an ongoing dialogue between human experience and the forces of nature, positioning us within a transient, ever-shifting flow of time.
The format of Poems also challenges conventional presentation. Rather than being bound like a typical book, the images are presented as unbound, loose pages, allowing readers to rearrange and create their own sequences. This reinforces Duncan’s exploration of how time and space can be perceived and altered and invites viewers to participate in the creation of new visual and temporal rhythms.
Deadbeat Club, the publisher behind Poems, has been a force in contemporary photography since its founding in 2011 by Clint Woodside. Known for its limited-edition publications and commitment to artist collaboration, Deadbeat Club ensures that each project maintains the original vision of the artist while embracing the publisher’s ethos of community and experimentation. With Poems, they continue this tradition, bringing Duncan’s unique work to a wider audience.
The photo book is complemented by an essay from Sean McFarland, a visual artist and writer known for his work in photography that often focuses on the landscape and our perception of the natural world. McFarland’s reflections add a critical and contemplative layer to Duncan’s images, helping to situate the work within a broader discourse on time, nature, and artistic practice.
About the Artist
Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in 1974, Christopher Robin Duncan has built a multidisciplinary career that spans a wide array of mediums, including textile, sound, and now, photography. His practice often involves harnessing natural forces—sunlight, wind, and the passing of time—to create works that exist in a liminal space between painting and photography. With Poems, Duncan returns to photography with a fresh perspective, exploring the fleeting moments of life and the subtle forces that shape them.
Outside of his artistic practice, Duncan is the co-founder of LAND AND SEA, a small book and record publishing project that he runs with his partner, Maria Otero. This endeavour, like Deadbeat Club, focuses on small-run, carefully curated projects that foster artistic collaboration and community engagement.
Publication Details
Poems is a beautifully crafted work, consisting of 52 pages presented as folded sheets inside a hardcover folder. The full-colour offset prints bring Duncan’s contemplative images to life, capturing the nuances of nature and time. A special edition of Poems is also available, offering collectors a unique version of this deeply personal project.
For those interested in exploring Poems, it is now available for pre-order through the Deadbeat Club website, with shipping scheduled for early September. With its thoughtful design and conceptual depth, Poems is a notable addition to Duncan’s evolving body of work and a testament to Deadbeat Club’s continued commitment to elevating unique voices in contemporary photography.
Poems by Christopher Robin Duncan
Published by Deadbeat Club
52 Pages
Hardcover folder with folded sheets
Full Colour Offset, 9” x 12”
