March 9 - April 17, 2009
Water: The element of water is depicted in Mr. Shaw’s series of bridge photographs. As he states in his Mind Portal Press book “Bridges: The Photography of George Shaw”, “Bridges represent change and movement from here to there, the present to the future or the past…More than a complete static object, the bridges, besides representing change, themselves change over time and in time. Different times of day, weather conditions, and seasons all interact with the bridges to make them new again. The sweep of the arches dances with the rhythms of the water and the shapes of the clouds”.
Air: Mr. Shaw’s fascination with graven images and the associated mausoleums provide a backdrop for the element air, which is associated with the ethereal realm of life and death. He states: “My mausoleum photographs are a meditation on our relationship with death, our attempts at finding both meaning and solace or comfort in the loss of a loved one. These mausoleum photos are more poignant because they chronicle love one’s ongoing attempts at maintaining a connection with the departed…”
Earth: The artist has provided a series of land and waterscapes, captured at different seasons. His focus on trees span both Autumn and Winter, the images encompassing the cool solitude of the Winter air and the bright warmth fading into stillness associated with Autumn. Photographs taken at the quarry at Shelburne Falls, MA radiate with the bright Summer light, and focus on the contrast between the water and rock formations native to that area.
Fire: The element of fire is the focus of six of Mr. Shaw’s larger photographs, where the relationship of Man and Fire intermingles. The Fire Dancer of Providence, RI’s annual summer WaterFire celebrations, in which pyres are lit on the river downtown, is juxtaposed with the element he initiates. We see his intense focus and respect for the fire, a conversation taking place between the man and the divine energy present in the elusive qualities of this element. Mr. Shaw also captures the fire itself, revealing the enigmatic while allowing its mystery to remain.
George Shaw is an artist residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating with honors from Massachusetts College of Art in 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting in 1983. His 2 and 3-dimensional work led to the discovery of photography. George’s aesthetic interests also extend to his studies of classical architecture and restoration. He received a Certificate of Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College in 2008.
The exhibition runs from March 9th to April 17th, 2009, with hours Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm. All are invited to an artist’s reception on Friday, March 13th, from 6-8pm.
Gallery Spotlight: Elements
Click on the "Play" button to view this episode of the video program "Gallery Spotlight," featuring an interview with photographer George Shaw, and highlighting the exhibit "Elements" in the MATV Gallery.
