Andrea Modica, a renowned photographer known for her black-and-white portraiture using large-format cameras and platinum printing, recently released a new book titled Catholic Girl. The book showcases teenagers at Catholic girls’ schools in New York and New Haven in the mid-1980s. Modica describes the experience of starting this project as akin to a first kiss – a moment that is slightly out of control, magical, and addictive.
Back in 1984, Modica, then a second-year graduate student at Yale School of Art, was struggling to find her artistic voice. During a visit to her old high school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, she asked her former art teacher if she could photograph some of his students. This impromptu decision led to a series of portraits that captured the essence of the era, where disco and punk influences intersected.
Despite the girls wearing uniforms, their distinct personalities and fashion choices shone through in the photographs. From Farrah Fawcett haircuts to leather jackets and piercings, each girl exuded a unique style that reflected the cultural influences of the time. Modica also notes the subtle presence of religious symbols, such as religious medals, hinting at the girls’ Catholic upbringing.
While the series serves as a time capsule of music and fashion from the 1980s, it also delves into the complexities of religion and identity. Modica highlights the liberal environment of her high school, where young radical nuns encouraged open discussions on sensitive topics like abortion and premarital sex. This sense of freedom and individuality is evident in the girls’ willingness to participate in the photo shoots and express themselves authentically.
The process of capturing these portraits was collaborative, with the girls actively engaging in the creative process. Modica’s use of an 8×10 large-format camera allowed for a slower, more deliberate approach to photography, fostering a sense of connection and intimacy between the photographer and her subjects. This experience served as a catalyst for Modica’s future projects, including explorations of friendship dynamics and uniformity in different contexts.
Decades later, Modica revisited these schoolgirl portraits during the lockdown and decided to compile them into a book. Reconnecting with the girls she had photographed was a heartwarming experience, as she witnessed how they had evolved over the years. Some had transformed from shy teenagers into confident adults, pursuing careers in the arts and education.
As a photography professor, Modica emphasizes the importance of allowing her students to follow their artistic instincts and embrace their own creative first kisses. She believes that the passion and drive behind a subject are what truly drive the artistic process, rather than technical perfection. The schoolgirl portraits from 1984 continue to influence Modica’s work, serving as a reminder of the power of authenticity and individual expression in art.
