Aperture

Current Approaches to Photography

Juror Statement by Brent Dedas

It was a pleasure to serve as juror for this exhibition, which explores photography in all its diverse forms. Narrowing down the selections from 143 submissions to just 25 was no easy task, given the abundance of excellent and thought-provoking images. Many strong photographs had to be set aside simply due to limited space. 

The exhibition includes striking traditional works (mountains, night scenes, landscapes, and architectural studies) that stand out for their formal qualities. Just as compelling, however, are the many contemporary approaches to photographic method and format. From representational to abstract, the overall caliber of work was exceptional. What truly distinguished the selected photographs were those that demanded a second, third, even fourth look. Words that come to mind include: playful, experimental, mysterious, wondrous. Some images posed questions, others told stories. I was especially impressed by the boldness and risk-taking evident in both subject matter and technique.  Many of the artists are clearly discovering their own voice, pushing beyond what is easy, popular, or safe. 

Congratulations to all the exhibiting artists, and thank you to Artlink Gallery for the invitation to jury the Aperture exhibition.

Artists

Nicholas DAngelo, Daniel Dienelt, Marie Gardeski, Margo Geddes, Dave Hanson, Michael Holtz, Steven Hughes, Elizabeth Janss, Colleen Keihm, Madeline Miller, Julie O'Connor, John Perry, Jelisa Peterson, Joshua Phelps, Paula Pink, Kara Beth Rasure, Aaron Rorick, Stephanie Silva, Michael Skevington, Kailey Stockburger, Sarah Thomas, Gabriel Williams

About the Juror

Brent Dedas is an Associate Professor of Art at University of South Carolina. He received his Masters of Fine Arts degree along with a Museum Studies Curatorial Certificate from the College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, University of Cincinnati (D.A.A.P.). His Bachelor of Fine Arts is from the Hite Institute of Art and Design, University of Louisville.

Dedas maintains an extensive exhibition record both in the U.S. and internationally. His work was included in the Art/NaturSci Pavilion: Equilibrium exhibition at the 2019 Venice Biennale within Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in partnership with the German-Italian Cultural Association (ACIT). In 2018 his work was exhibited at Humboldt-Universität in Berlin Germany. Other international exhibitions include: Art Prague International Art Fair, Solo Project Room, Kafka’s House, Prague, Czech Republic (2014), Solo Exhibition, Galerie ERA svět, Prague, Czech Republic (2014). Personally Political International Juried Exhibition, at Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin, Ardgillan Exhibition in Dublin (2004), and in the Belfast Festival at Queens (2004).

His work has been exhibited in many galleries and museums across the United States which include: Site:Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington, VA, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN, LaGrange Art Museum, LaGrange, GA, Ground Floor Gallery, Nashville, TN, Mazur Museum, Monroe, LA, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI, NOVA Gallery, Woodbridge, VA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.