October 11th-November 17th
Reception: Friday October 20th, 6-9pm
Artist Talk: Wednesday October 25th, 12pm
Rooted in the actions of the pedestrian, Urban Constructs depicts the experience of the urban space in relationship to the physical body by juxtaposing two disparate and ongoing bodies of work, City Space and Stray Light.
In the bright light of day, the city’s surface is on display. Buildings appear as solid and impenetrable structures, large swaths of concrete dominate the space, and anonymous individuals fill the streets. The images in City Space speak to the physical environment of the city and its emotional and psychological impact on the body. I use the city as a stage and transform the physical space into a psychological one. These photographs reconstruct mundane events in the city that I have personally experienced or witnessed in public. Similar to a street photographer, I wander the streets for hours, observing life, making snapshots, taking note of people, locations, and lighting; these become the foundation for my work. Stark light, deep shadow and muted color are visual strategies I explore to describe the city.
As night falls, this once solid facade of the city fades away. The impenetrable structures appear vulnerable, offering a glimpse of the contents inside. Light emanating from the windows speaks to the individuals who reside inside, acting as a marker of their presence in the physical space. Carefully constructing each image from multiple photographs, I reform the urban landscape in my own vision—one that seeks to reconstruct the heavens in its absence above the cityscape. Light emanating from each window references a world unknown, evoking a sense of mystery and awe.
Visually very different, both projects speak to my perception and experience of the urban environment and those who reside within it. Light is used as a tool to transform the urban landscape, imaging it anew, whether in the natural light of day or the incandescent light that fills the night sky.
This project is partially supported by an Individual Artist Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
