The photography exhibit “Urban Wood” at Creative Grape opens May 24th and runs through June 17. The themed exhibit features photography of urban art (street art), urban exploration (urbex), and urban nature – hand-transferred to reclaimed fence wood and other natural materials.
Artist Statement
As a photographer, I create with what I find in the outside world; turning the 3-dimensional into the 2-dimensional at just the right magic moment. That moment freezes time and drowns out all the noise.
I’m most inspired by urban exploration, street art, and the natural world in my mission to tell a story, evoke a mood, or pose a question.
The exhibit “Urban Wood” brings together these urban outdoor themes – each with their own artistic style, all connected to natural materials.
To celebrate the pristine beauty of nature, even in urban and industrial environments, I had fine art giclée prints made on cotton paper that I mounted on wood or framed. The “Surviving or Thriving?” sub-series was printed on maple wood by a lab professionals.
The deep creative challenge and joy was finding a resonating method for the urban art and urbex photography. This spring, I finally figured out how to create suitable, tangible, somewhat unpredictable, unique, aesthetic, permanent art pieces with these kinds of photographs: hand-transferring the street art photos to reclaimed fence planks and the urbex photos to birch panels.
I cannot quite describe the anticipation and joy I experience as I reveal the images which time and decay has formed in the first place, by speeding up the process of disintegration by removing paper off pieces of wood – hoping, hoping, hoping that the image will remain intact, somewhat. And now I get to share them with you!
Due to the unpredictable nature of this process, each wood transfer is unique.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank my husband Scott Solary, for being my creative collaborator by creating those wood panels out of our old fence.
“Urban Wood” is my first solo exhibit in a gallery – and I’d like to thank Jeff, Leslie, and Yusuke for making it happen. I have so much more urban work to transfer… and I can’t wait to show you what else is coming…
UPDATE
As pieces sell during the run of this exhibit (and about 1/3 already sold during the opening reception), I will replace them with new work. So come on by and come on back!
Event Details
Location: Creative Grape, 3100 3rd Ave N, St. Petersburg, Florida
Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 24, 6pm
Ongoing Exhibit: May 24 – June 17