Michelle and I very much enjoyed the opportunity to act as jurors for Smithtown Township ship Arts Council’s 34th Annual Juried Exhibition. We chose the theme Dualities for this call because, as identical twins, this concept is always present in our daily life. We find that photography allows us to use the camera as a tool for expressing this idea with few limitations. Everyone who entered in the call was very insightful and imaginative in capturing this concept. We viewed many works by artists that expressed dichotomy with complimentary placement in the images. What caught our attention was the diversity of imagery we viewed.
Our 1st and 2nd place selections are very opposite from one another in their process of conception, yet each exemplifies the theme. The image titled Mermaidens by Alan Richards is a wonderful example of how one can create made-up, altered realities that have a sense of playfulness and displacement, allowing one to see many dualities.
Our 2nd place selection was the image titled But from what Sharing by Cyd Hamilton. This photograph gives the sense that the camera and the photographer are simultaneously working together in a dual creative process, as she uses a Holga camera. This image provides an eloquent blend of sequences happening.
Special thanks to all of the participating artists for giving us the opportunity to view works by emerging and established artists. We were excited to learn more about them!
Melanie & Michelle Craven, Tilt Gallery