FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
THE VENUS SERIES
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Ambrotype (wet plate collodion on black glass); 3.25" x 4"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Alumitype (wet plate collodion photogram on black aluminum); 4.5" x 6.5"; 2010
Installation images from "The Venus Series" exhibit at the University of Iowa's Print Staging Space, 2011
Installation images from "The Venus Series" exhibit at the University of Iowa's Print Staging Space, 2011
“Venus Series” wet plates (framed) & handmade paper figurines installation, at the my solo show “Past As Present” at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2016.
“Venus Series” wet plates (framed) & handmade paper figurines installation, at the my solo show “Past As Present” at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2016.
“Venus Series” framed wet plates & handmade paper figurine, installed as part of my solo show “Private Lives, Public Spaces”, 2015.
A “Venus Figurine” on display at the Danforth Art Museum, as part of their permanent collection. (Photo Courtesy of Jessica Roscio).
“Venus Series” wet plates installation view, with Ron Cowie’s platinum prints, as part of “New Light Through Old Windows”, at the Newport Art Museum.
“Venus Series” handmade paper figures installation view as part of “New Light Through Old Windows”, at the Newport Art Museum.
“Venus Series” handmade paper figure & ambrotypes installation view as part of “Unbound 5!”, exhibition at Candela Gallery. Photograph courtesy of the gallery.
“Venus Series” handmade paper figures & wet plates installation view as part of “Progressions”, my solo show at the Vermont Center for Photography. Photography courtesy of Joshua Farr.
“Venus Series” handmade paper figure & wet plates installation view as part of “Progressions”, my solo show at the Vermont Center for Photography. Photography courtesy of Joshua Farr.
Venus Figurines is a term used for small carved female figures found in Europe and the Middle East from the Upper Paleolithic era. They began to be discovered in the late 19th century and discoveries continue to this day. Little is known about these figurines and it is that lack of knowledge that adds to their mystery. There remains much speculation and theory: what do they mean, what do they represent? Their varied traits, sizes and locations have added to this mystery.
These forms continue to intrigue and mystify contemporary viewers. They have inspired various artists, confounded archeologists and created contradictory theories among historians. Some feminists have embraced the Venuses, others have rejected them. Regardless of the varied responses, these figures capture our attention and imagination, as they have mine.
The Venus Series is my attempt to re-create the power, mystery and primal beauty these forms have by creating my own figurines that reference autobiography, contemporary culture and history. These sculptures were made of high-shrinkage flax paper and were then photographed using a 19th century photographic process called wet-plate collodion. This technique involves coating a non-porous surface with a photosensitive emulsion and exposing it to light while the plate is still wet. This process allowed me to re-interpret yet still convey the luminosity, beauty and drama of the original Venus figurines.