What is it about remote locales that evoke instant curiosity? Stripped down, such subjects are vulnerable and enticing without warning.
How does one react to these images of urban decay?
The associates that operated galleryDK (prior to the birth of gallerywest), consisted of Russell Brohier, Sean Galbraith, Steve Jacobs, Laurin Jeffrey and Mathew Merrett. The ‘group’ has been regarded as a...
[read more] What is it about remote locales that evoke instant curiosity? Stripped down, such subjects are vulnerable and enticing without warning.
How does one react to these images of urban decay?
The associates that operated galleryDK (prior to the birth of gallerywest), consisted of Russell Brohier, Sean Galbraith, Steve Jacobs, Laurin Jeffrey and Mathew Merrett. The ‘group’ has been regarded as a collective of photographers who share a fascination for neglected environments, the exploration of various inanimate
objects and capturing subjects in ambient lighting. Churches, bridge ways, mines, desolate land masses, and abandoned cars are among some of the works previously exhibited by these contemporary photographers.
Showing new works, the artists assert there will be familiar seeds of commonality, but new visions and subjects will be the focal points for each narrative. While some viewers may assert desolation is a somber, melancholic, and perhaps unnerving experience others play witness to the bareness as an environment rich with genuine
prose.
Exploring with infrared, resin coating, specific metals, mounted collages and poignant symmetry—each approach to ‘urban decay’ is individualistic, illustrating varying modes of perceptive realities.
“The onlooker is a witness to environments that are often neglected, ignored or not readily seen. Here are the works of urban exploration, the abandoned spaces.”
Viewers can expect embossed artistry and creative subject matter with photographs ranging from cloud-cluster forests to auto junkyards.
Also on display will be never before seen photographs of an abandoned prison located at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility in Cuba.
Gaining access, adhering to structural and societal regulations and remaining vividly sound on every snapshot are among some of the challenges each artist faced when creating their narrative. However, these challenges of capturing desolate beauty has in turn helped create a plethora of images that are full of raw sensibilities.
In addition, this is a nostalgic showing as gallerywest occupies the former space where galleryDK operated. After closing its doors in Spring 2010, galleryDK’s artists have continued to grow and expanded as creators; this is their homecoming.
Join in the homecoming.
New works group exhibition, by Russell Brohier, Sean Galbraith, Steve Jacobs, Laurin Jeffrey and Mathew Merrett runs from February 1st until February 28th, with the opening reception on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 from 7PM-
10PM.
About DK Photo Group
In the ruins of a steel mill on a cold December Sunday in 2005, five photographers came together to form the DK Photo Group. Though each has their own artistic voice, what binds them together is their common subject matter. Exploring the forgotten, decaying and derelict relics of society, this group photographs and documents those buildings which once stood as bastions of social institutions.
Now silent and testament to the history of our social past, they are artifacts left to deteriorate.
