Oil Wrestling By Ben McNutt

Historically the oldest sporting event in the world, wrestling holds culturally and socially significant subtexts, such as power, athleticism, and desire. McNutt’s in-depth, artistic exploration of this sport throughout history demonstrates a natural obsession with these subtexts. Ben McNutt traveled to Turkey to document oil wrestling, creating a dialogue between the perception of masculinity and the complexities that have bound its image. ​The ​photographs show​ ​the athletes touching​ ​and embracing each other during the fight. McNutt ​doesn’t view​ ​the​ ​sport​ ​and​ ​wrestlers as​ ​strong,​ ​traditional,​ ​masculine and ​powerful​ ​figures​, he rather sees his role as a photographer in ​exploring the​ ​​wrestling​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​its​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​masculinity. The series stands as a part of a larger body that chronicles the human fascination with the athletic form. ​Because​ ​of​ ​wrestling’s incredible​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​history,​ ​religion,​ ​athleticism,​ ​culture,​ ​nationalism, the artwork shows the connections we all have on a global scale.