People Pleaser @ River Campus Art Annex Gallery, River Campus Arts Building, 340 South Frederick Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Exhibition runs from February 18 - March 18, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday March 7, 2025 from 5-7PM
These images were made from 2023-2024. People Pleaser features motifs such as; windows, mirrors, portals, scallops, cast shadows, and reflections. These photographs are snapshots of everyday life highlighting the many surprises that can be found in ordinary existence. This body of work is a result of focused attention on light as it interacts with various surfaces and materials. These images sit in poetic relationship with one another while celebrating the visual richness that is always present.
This work in progress aims to uncover the hidden excitement and playful potential inherent in everyday moments. I draw from the legacy of photographers like William Eggleston and Stephen Shore, who taught us to find beauty and significance in the seemingly mundane, and especially from John Szarkowski in both his curatorial and photographic approaches. For me, this exploration of the ordinary often intersects with the unexpected, leading me to scenes and oddities that challenge our sense of rationality and logic.
The world is full of strange, irrational things, and I find that intriguing. It's this very quality that excites me as an artist. The absurdity of a misplaced object, an unexpected scene, or a peculiar architectural detail offers a glimpse into the quirky, unpredictable nature of existence. In these moments, I see a chance to provoke thought and evoke emotion by juxtaposing the familiar with the out-of-place, inviting viewers to reconsider their perception of the world. I present these scenes with precision and clarity, drawing attention to the subtle formal qualities found within them. I present them as they are; there’s a certain charm in embracing the moment without dissecting it. I hope my work leaves room for viewers to find their own meaning and enjoyment in their experience.
Through photography, I rediscovered the importance of play in the creative process. My practice contains a philosophical parallel to the developmental significance of rough-and-tumble play in childhood. Both domains necessitate an engagement with boundaries, a search for meaning, and a relentless pursuit of growth. Exploration can lead to both freedom and danger. It is within this boundless realm of exploration and discovery that I find my voice. It is my hope that my work resonates with others, inspiring them to embrace simplicity and play, by transcending cultural and geographical boundaries through the universal language of aesthetics.
While play is a significant part of my process, I approach my subjects as if they are appearing in serious documentary work. Many of the scenes and locations I’ve shot have already changed dramatically in just a few years. My work takes a neutral position and isn’t an attempt to preserve these cultural artifacts. Instead, I want to create visual documents that may live on and offer a glimpse into the visual culture of our time.
