his image;my gift

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on August 7, 2014 at 5:28pm

Curator’s Comments:

 

I enjoy the keen equilibrium between beauty and irony in these photographs.  Set up as Classical tableaus, or vanitas, the chosen objects are visually sumptuous and provocative.  I especially like the stark simplicity and mystery of his image; my gift.  The sharp contrast of the bittersweet berries with the cap brings together masculine identity and the dangerous allure of nature as the alternate feminine psyche (if indeed these are poisonous bittersweet.)  The emptiness of the dark negative space brings a contemplative if not somber mood to the piece.  Formally, the weight of the open blackness further provides visual rest and introspection.  Corgette is by contrast amusing and questionably subversive.  I admit I had to look up the title, not being familiar with the alternate term for zucchini. Bestowed (if not festooned) with badges and metals, the piece appears to make fun of the revealed vegetable recipient. But again, the lush color and handling of velvety textures may prove a bit of a foil to the juxtaposition of symbolic objects.