Carface - JEFF KAUFFMAN

The Carface project is a series of photographs of the “faces” of these toy Matchbox cars from the mid-1960s and 1970s. I chose a head-on view of the toys to portray the strongest, most unique part of any subject, the face. The use of a square composition, shallow focus, and a rich black background together emphasize the power of this portrayal. The toys are nearly as old as I am, and they too bear the scratches, chips, and accumulated imperfections from life’s wear and tear.

Until the early 1970s, Janet worked most of her adult life at a corner store in a rural Pennsylvania town. As each new toy reached the store, Janet purchased it for her growing collection. “They might be worth something someday”, she would say. When I grew up and moved away, she proudly gave me the collection of over 100 toys, coupled with a wood display case hand-crafted by her husband George. Janet (1917-2019) and George (1915-2016) are my grandparents.

Fine Art Prints from this collection are available from GEO Galleries. BUY ART PRINTS

From the Carface collection. Volkswagon 1600 Saloon, Matchbox Series No. 15. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Ford Zodiac MK IV, Matchbox Series No. 53. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Matchbox Series No. 69. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Ferarri Berlinetta, Matchbox Series No. 75. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Jaguar MK10, Matchbox Series No. 28. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Pontiac GP Sport Coupe Purple, Matchbox Series No. 22. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Rolls Royce Phantom V, Matchbox Series No. 44. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. From the Carface collection, Matchbox Series No. 55/73. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

From the Carface collection. Ford Galaxy Red Fire Chief, Matchbox Series No. 55/59. A color photograph by Jeff Kauffman of a vintage matchbox car. ©Jeff Kauffman

Selections from the project were shown at SCOPE Miami 2018, and the project has been featured in Float Magazine, ISO1200.com Photography Magazine, and Ed Verosky instructional videos. Further publishing and exhibition opportunities are welcome.