Photograms
A photogram is traditionally made in the darkroom by placing objects on light sensitive paper and making an exposure from a controlled light source. Some of the first photographic images were created in this way. William Henry Fox Talbot made numerous images he called photogenic drawings by placing lace, leaves, flowers, and other objects on light sensitive paper and leaving them in the sun for exposure. My process includes enlarging the organic objects, and sometimes live insects, down onto the paper, my figure being the object which blocks the light during exposure. Photograms have been embraced throughout photographic history by Man Ray, Maholy-Nagy, and Adam Fuss, and many other artists and amateurs alike.
The photogram is a perfect melding of the photographic ability to capture a factual representation of life in a single moment, and a painterly sense of control of composition, color, and interaction of form and shape. I have recently begun working to remove an element of control by carefully placing live ants into the created world. Working between the ideas of the measure of control of my own figure and the complete lack of control of the movement of the ants I try to create an art that reflects the dual nature of the world we live in. Each image is separate and different, recording the ephemeral nature of the objects which are degrading under the heat and light of the enlarger bulb, and each actor’s actions, myself or the ants, caught for those few seconds under the light. It is a world of flesh and vegetation, imprinted upon and surrounding us as we move through its deep space. The objects that create the world are chosen for their shape and color and ability to transmit light and texture onto the photographic surface. These images are records of a journey through this world, glimpses of thoughts and emotions, capturing it’s participant in the search through the record of transient moments that make up life.
Prices are for unframed photograms unless otherwise noted
Each photogram is unique and cannot be reprinted
Please contact me with any questions you have
The photogram is a perfect melding of the photographic ability to capture a factual representation of life in a single moment, and a painterly sense of control of composition, color, and interaction of form and shape. I have recently begun working to remove an element of control by carefully placing live ants into the created world. Working between the ideas of the measure of control of my own figure and the complete lack of control of the movement of the ants I try to create an art that reflects the dual nature of the world we live in. Each image is separate and different, recording the ephemeral nature of the objects which are degrading under the heat and light of the enlarger bulb, and each actor’s actions, myself or the ants, caught for those few seconds under the light. It is a world of flesh and vegetation, imprinted upon and surrounding us as we move through its deep space. The objects that create the world are chosen for their shape and color and ability to transmit light and texture onto the photographic surface. These images are records of a journey through this world, glimpses of thoughts and emotions, capturing it’s participant in the search through the record of transient moments that make up life.
Prices are for unframed photograms unless otherwise noted
Each photogram is unique and cannot be reprinted
Please contact me with any questions you have
