The work of New York photographer Meryl Meisler has been covered extensively in these pages. We spoke to the artist last year about the release of her compelling publication, A Tale of Two Cities: Disco Era Bushwick, and dived into the hedonism of her follow up Paradise and Purgatory: SASSY ’70s Suburbia and The City a few months later.
![Self-Portrait Playmate Hostess](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkashersmall.jpg)
Meryl Meisler,
Self-Portrait Playmate Hostess, NY December 1978
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016.
Everything you need to know has been written here. Meisler’s photography comes with an inbuilt crackle of energy; she found her way past the red velvet ropes of Studio 54 courtesy of her favourite doorman Marc; she committed the intimate moments of the city’s pleasure-seekers to film, time and time again; she laboured on the powerful juxtapositions of the party and a city teetering on the edge. She has one of the most prized collections of imagery from a time in New York’s history that has been written into folklore. Meryl Meisler is a true icon of New York photography.
It’s a privilege to be publishing the photographer’s individualistic work here again, this time as she sets alight Manhattan’s Steven Kasher Gallery; where her earliest photographs are explored, in solo exhibition that includes over 35 black-and-white prints. The euphoria of the 1970s is here again — from the clubs and music venues that would make history, to Meisler’s hometown in Long Island; self-portraits to irresistible profiles of friends and family. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: energy, melancholy, sass … Meryl Meisler’s photography takes its viewers on a ride, at times uncomfortable, at times exultant, always riveting.
Meryl Meisler at Steven Kasher Gallery, New York, continues until 9 April.
![East Meadow, NY, June 1975](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher2.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Butterfly Bedroom Telephone, East Meadow, NY, June 1975. Vintage gelatin silver print, printed 1975
20x 141/2in. Signed, titled, dated and stamped by photographer verso
![Cherry Grove Fire Island, NY August 1977](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher3.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Parrot Pants, Cherry Grove Fire Island, NY August 1977
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016. Edition 1 of 5 + 2 APs
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus, New York, NY April 1977](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher4.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Three Clowns in Monkey Suits at the Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus, New York, NY April 1977
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016. Edition 1 of 5, + 2 APs
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![Florida, 1978](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher5.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
My 2nd cousins Milton and Betty Schwartz’s grandson Todd jumping off their couch in the den, Florida, 1978.
Vintage gelatin silver print, printed 1978. 14 x 11 in. Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![North Massapequa, NY June 1979](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher6.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Mom Getting her hair Teased at Besame Beauty Salon, North Massapequa, NY June 1979
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016. Edition 1 of 5, + 2 APs
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![Dead Boys Concert CBGB, New York, NY April 1977](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher7.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Kissing in Black Leather Jackets During last Dead Boys Concert CBGB, New York, NY April 1977
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016. Edition 1 of 5, + 2 APs
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![North Massapequa, NY , September 1975](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher8.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Cousin Jennifer Cash Wiener on the Throne, Rosh Hashanah, North Massapequa, NY, September 1975
Vintage gelatin silver print, printed 1975. 10 x 8 in
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![CBGB, New York, NY March 1977](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher9.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Two Blondes in a band at CBGB, New York, NY March 1977
Gelatin silver print, printed 2016. Edition 1 of 5, + 2 APs
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![North Massapequa, NY , January 1975](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher10.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Self-Portrait, The Girl Scout Oath, North Massapequa, NY , January 1975.
Vintage gelatin silver print, printed 1975. 20x 141/2in. Edition 1 of 1; Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
![North Massapequa, NY, January 1975](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher11.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
Self-Portrait, A Falling Star North Massapequa, NY, January 1975.
Vintage gelatin silver print. 10 x 8 in. Edition 1 of 2
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso
All images courtesy Steven Kasher Gallery, New York
![Rosh Hashanah, September 1974](https://www.we-heart.com/upload-images/merylmeislerkasher12.jpg)
Meryl Meisler
The Meisler, Forkash & Cash Clan Welcoming a Sweet New Year, North Massapequa, NY, Rosh Hashanah, September 1974
Vintage gelatin silver print, printed 1978. 14 x 11 in
Signed, titled and dated by photographer verso