Exhibiting At The

Wickford Art Association Gallery

**1st Annual Juried Photo Guild Show**

September 21 - October 11, 2007

Featuring photo media works by members of the Wickford Art Association's Photo Guild.

Awards

Juried by Jan Armor, Juror's Statement

Opening Reception

Sunday
September 23
1 - 3 p.m.

The public is invited and refreshments will be served!

First Place

Gene St. Pierre

Yellow Landscape
Digital Photograph

Second Place

Third Place

Bill Brennan

Gladiola Series #1
Photograph

Michael Guertin

Zenway LXVI
Photo Assemblage

Honorable Mentions

Barbara Crane

Block Houses
Archival Inkjet Photograph

Howard Rubenstein

AC Series #25
Gelatin Silver Print

Donna St. Amant

Calla Lilies
Photograph

This is a great show, with many wonderful photographs. I selected these three works for special recognition because all so very engaging. These are more then just a nice view of a place or thing. All three called to me from across the room, and asked something more than just a cursory look. All spoke to me on a deeper level and that is why I chose them. All are equally excellent photographs.

Yellow Landscape, by Gene St. Pierre, is an image that drew me in immediately. This abstract (landscape?) feels so happy, so colorful, so optimistic. Here is this surprising bright yellow foreground shape that contrasts sharply with the tranquil blue sky and wisp of clouds. Was this fabric, or a part of a sculpture or automobile, or something else? I came back to this picture over and over. I think this a striking piece, and one I would like to own myself. I can easily see it printed even bigger!

Gladiola, Series #1, by William Brennan, is a work that invited me to look closer, and often. Not only is it technically impeccable and tack sharp, it could have been printed by the ghost of Ansel himself. But beyond the technical, "Gladiola" speaks of fading beauty, aging, decay, etc., themes that always resonate in me.

I loved the mystery inherent in Zenway, LXVI by Michael Guertin. This landscape, in the spirit of Jerry Uelsmann, and perhaps inspired by the photography of John Paul Caponigro, asked me to explore a different reality. Is this a seashore from some other dimension. I looked closely, my nose just two inches away, wondering, "Where am I?" Very imaginative, very cool.

Even from across the room, I found Mr. Rubenstein's black and white floral, quite striking. Upon closer inspection, this was actually a beautifully executed photograph of one of the many slot canyons in the Southwestern US. These formations may be one of the most spectacular and most pictured landscapes, but I felt this particular representation was special, with the many organic folds of rock opening like a flower.

Soft, gentle, quiet, these are the words that came to me when I saw Donna St. Amant's exquisite image. I enjoyed the intimacy of the couplet of flowers, and the sensuality of their closeness to each other. This is a delicate piece, and I think the modest size actually works in its favor, asking me to come closer and enjoy. I did, and found it beautiful.

Barbara Crane's work is unlike any other in the show. At first I thought this was a painting being taken down from last month's exhibit because it was on the floor, leaning against the wall. Truly, Ms. Crane has a style all her own, with this a perfect example. Here is a colorful series of photographs arranged in a vertical grid, and minimally framed. Grey lines create the boxes that contain little antique wooden houses. Barbara places the objects in disconcerting ways, rendering them in a strange, otherworldly palette of color!. This is a mysterious work, and I found myself totally immersed in it. Ms. Crane brings new meaning to the words digital photography.

Juror: Jan Armor