Roberta Degnore: Author, Filmmaker, Educator and keeper of secrets for Robert Mapplethorpe and his mentor/partner Sam Wagstaff
Table of Contents
Early Writing Career
Friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe and Sam Wagstaff
Academic Studies in Psychology and Film
Teaching at FIT
Travels Around the World
Upcoming Memoir
Early Writing Career
Roberta Degnore is an accomplished American author who initially wrote novels under various pen names in the 1960s and 1970s. Her early novels delved into themes of identity and self-expression. This laid the foundation for her later academic studies in human psychology and perceptions. Amber LeMay is very privileged to have had the opportunity to speak with Roberta, and you can watch their discussion in the video above.
Roberta Degnore on a motorcycle
Friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe and Sam Wagstaff
In New York City during the 1970s, Roberta became friends with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and his mentor/partner Sam Wagstaff. She provided encouragement during Mapplethorpe's early artistic development.
Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe
Robert Mapplethorpe went on to become one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. His provocative homoerotic portraits shocked many but cemented his reputation. Meanwhile, Sam Wagstaff was a powerful curator and collector who acquired Mapplethorpe's work and promoted it.
Order Roberta Degnore’s books today!
Academic Studies in Psychology and Film
In the 1980s, Roberta returned to school to pursue graduate studies in psychology at Columbia University. She studied human behavior and mental processes, building on early knowledge from her friendships with Mapplethorpe and Wagstaff.
Roberta also studied filmmaking, recognizing cinema's power to convey stories and evoke emotions. Her psychology background informed her film productions on complex themes around gender and identity.
Roberta Degnore by Donna Aceto
Teaching at FIT
Roberta currently teaches psychology and fashion courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She developed an innovative curriculum exploring the psychology of gender, perception, and self-expression through clothing and style.
Fashion provides a powerful means of manifesting identity, and Roberta's class examines the motivations and societal influences behind fashion choices to reveal insights into the human psyche.
Travels Around the World
As an explorer at heart, Roberta has traveled extensively as a lifelong solo traveler, seeking experiences that push boundaries and offer new cultural perspectives.
Upcoming Memoir
In her upcoming memoir “The Secrets of Roberta Degnore,” Roberta reflects on her unconventional life path, from novelist to social scientist to global wanderer. Her insider perspectives on Mapplethorpe's rise and insights into human psychology promise a compelling read.
After decades working to understand human psychology, Roberta now shares her own insights. The memoir promises a compelling read from this modern Renaissance woman.
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
