For those who are not familiar with his work, I strongly suggest checking it out. He has a wide range of series, mostly surrounding staged food. He blends pop culture into his work with his Band Riders series. He created maps of countries around the world with the foods that are most popular there with his Food Maps series. He even has a series where he deep fried electronic gadgets; conveniently titled Deep Fried Gadgets. He often titles his work with the same food he is using throughout the series. The work I came across that originally drew me into his work is his No Seconds series. Henry stages the last meals requested by death row inmates, many of which are very well-known serial killers. I have always been fascinated with serial killers; basically everything about them. So, naturally, when I originally came across No Seconds a couple of years ago, I was immediately enthralled.
Hargreaves, who is originally from New Zealand, became interested in the idea of the "last meal" because in many countries around the world, the death penalty does not exist. After Texas decided against the special last meals in 2011, Hargreaves decided to start on this series.
He credits his knowledge and skill of photography with his career in modeling. He worked as a high fashion model for four years before starting his photography career. Although most of his work is of food, he uses the lighting techniques he observed while modeling. His work is always staged and very well thought out and researched. Most of the work he recreates has to do with an individual's past choices or documented food selections. Although this series can be disturbing and uncomfortable to some, the majority of his work is very colorful and cheerful.
I think this concept is so out of the ordinary, but super interesting. I would've never thought of this, but its content is just as strong as the visuals itself. I love how the typefaces used also give it's an aged old typerwriter feel to these iconic murderers of the past!
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