I have so much to say lately, it's just that I have become distracted with my job and I am working on applying to THIS. I have had trouble tracking down a gallery to even submit my photos to. Either the galleries are way out of my league, or they are dumb crafty galleries. Plus, it doesn't help that I am modest about my photography and I hate to be pushy with people just to show my work. What I mean is that there are artists out there who walk the walk, and talk the talk really well and thus they show A LOT! Even though I am not that kind of person or artist I will keep looking for a gallery(s). With that said, applying to have my photos published in book form feels like the right thing to do, not that it will actually happen, but I have to try. At least I will know that more people will be exposed to what happened to Birdie, and see for themselves the look of tragedy, heartbreak and intense grief upon our faces. I hope to use these photographs as a tool for "social change".
In addition to submitting 40 photographs I also have to submit an artists statement and a biography. Again, writing is not my strong suit so I have been stalling on this. Well, kind of stalling. I do have my artists statement done, and a friend of mine who applied for a Fullbright a few years ago (she is an incredible writer) is assisting me to make it a stronger statement. The bio I am not so sure about. I am going to need a lot of help with that one. I have until September 5th to get this all together and sent in, it will all work out in the end. If anything, I will be able to say that Mary Ellen Mark saw my work and read my statement.
I know that I have asked this before, but does anyone who reads this blog know anyone who runs a gallery? Or can you recommend to me a person that you might know that could assist me in getting these photos shown? Maybe it's lame of me to ask, I figure it can't hurt. Or maybe you are a babylost mama who has also made work about your loss. It would be very powerful to have a group showing of work that has come from such a tragic place.
7 comments:
Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who could help you out. But I certainly hope you're able to make your photos available to a wider audience. They are so beautiful and powerful.
I used to read your blog a while back until it became private. I have just re-found it and I am glad I did! I am so happy to hear about your wonderful news! Congrats on the pregnancy!
In regards to your post- I think your photos of Birdie are just wonderful. I definitely think that they deserve to be shown! I am in Milwaukee, WI and trying to rack my brain of a good place for your photos. I don't know if you've thought of this- but would it be an option for you to organize your own show? Either group or solo. Quite a few of my friends have done this when they couldn't find a gallery that matched what they were looking for. They would basically rent out a space and handle everything from there. At some point I plan on doing that (I am a painter/printmaker/designer).
Also, good luck on your book submission! On a side note- I hope that this isn't an inappropriate thing to add but I am also a book designer (mostly wedding album design) I find your photos so moving that I would be happy to collaborate with you on a book of your photos. I only do the designing not the printing/binding but there are places that will do a beautiful job for a decent price. I actually thought the first time I saw some of your photos how amazing they would be in book form. Feel free to email me if you want to discuss that further - lauren.woehler@gmail.com
:)
While I can only imagine how hard it is to compile everything to show your pictures I think you are doing a wonderful thing to help people in this world deal with grief. It's almost like it's a hidden subject yet we all have to deal with it. I'm glad you are doing what you are doing for yourselves, Birdie and others. Your pictures are beautiful....
Cape cod is an artist haven. I am really glad you are submiting your stuff to a book. ANd yes you do have to be assertive. But I will hunt around for you. I do have a friend who does shows but I haven't seen her in years I will try to reconnect. Now that I am doing part time, I have more time for the good stuff in life. Like art,
your photos are absolutely stunning. i saw your flicker collection, thank you for working to bring pregnancy loss and stillbirth closer to the mainstream. one of the things i hated about my first loss was that i did not know babies even died after the threat of miscarraige was over. i'm happy you have embarked on another pregnancy.
J
I wish I did. Our whole cultural death-in-general avoidance thing makes me buggy. Quick, wrap it up and get rid of it, no pictures, please, plump that flesh back up and slap on a heavy layer of makeup and make grandma/auntie/daddy/baby look just like they did when they were "with us"....but then we expect people to move on and heal from something they never even were able to confront. How can you fix what you won't even see? Hell, people don't even want to know where their food comes from because it involves death.
Rant over (but it's still going on in my head). I wish you every possible success with this.
I know no one with a gallery, but I am a decentish writer (I bs with the best of them), and if you want extra eyes to read your biography, I am willing.
I think this is awesome.
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