Primitive Behavior - Chapter 2

"And for a long time yet, led by some wondrous power, I am fated to journey hand in hand with my strange heroes and to survey the surging immensity of life, to survey it through laughter that all can see and through tears unseen and unknown by anyone."

Nikolai Gogal Dead Souls vol 1 ch 7

As I continue my mythology of contemporary man, the focus remains on conflict and frustration. Issues of sex and intimacy, mortality and loss, body image and soulfulness fuel the passion of these themes that are often guised in layers of guilt and shame. As I examine these issues an overwhelming lack of guidance emerges. As I walk through the dunes in Provincetown which serve as my studio this feeling dissipates. These men and women are my role models, my heroes and heroines, leading me by the hand giving me the courage to look beyond and find the core.

As part of the Provincetown collective memory, these dunes have been a place of chance meeting, of celebration and joy. But as I immortalize my peers, I cannot forget the many who have crossed these dunes that are no longer with us. It is at these times that I become a combat photographer documenting the devastations of war. My heroes and heroines become wounded soldiers and fallen statues, casualties of the fight. I admire their rage and anger, their courage and compassion. They bring me to the brink of understanding. I must now complete the journey alone. These photographs are documents of healing.

Frank Yamrus
Summer 1995