“The Price of Enlightenment” at the Step Up Gallery
Viewpoint Photographic Art Center
Exhibit Dates: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 – Saturday, September 1,2012
Artist Reception: Friday, August 10, 2012 – 5:30pm – 9:00pm
2nd Saturday Reception: Saturday, August 11, 2012 – 5:30pm – 9:00pm
“The Price of Enlightenment” is a
series of still-life images featuring dolls, doll heads, statuettes, and other
objects whose meanings have been shifted from playfulness to serious inquiries
of religion, politics, gender and death. A year and a half in the making, this
body of work represents a shift in how Blanchfield employs the medium of
photography. Moving away from street photography and into a studio environment,
she now creates photographs that express an original vision. With these images,
she uses the camera to explore her own thoughts and feelings and tell a more
personal story.
“While using these outwardly simple and unexpected objects, I
address concepts that I have long struggled with. These photographs are the
result of my inner conflicts with religion and science; death, mythology, and
spirituality. Working within the limitations of black and white film and a
minimalist composition, I looked for a new way to communicate ideas about human
nature and our capacity for evil. Influenced by religious iconography,
symbolism, literature, and paintings from the Renaissance to the Expressionists
and Surrealists, I have created a series of images that suggest a narrative and
lend themselves to multiple interpretations.”
All photographs are selenium-toned silver gelatin prints and were
shot with a Hasselblad 500c and Ilford Delta 100 film.