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If you are unable to visit our gallery and would like to purchase photographs from this preview or others in the gallery, please contact the gallery and call 585-271-2540.

 

Peter Marr's Picks of the Show

Holiday Show 2012

November 28 - December 23, 2012

Peter Marr has picked his favorite photos from the show by the guest photographers
and also describes the strength of the images he has chosen.

click here to return to the details of the exhibit

                                                                                                                                                                             

All images copyright by the individual photographers


Sea Turtles by Bruce Bozman

 

Sea Turtles

by Bruce Bozman

Although I would love to comment on one of Bruce’s superb abstract images, being limited to one “pick”, I chose “Sea Turtles” both for its stellar visual impact, and for its uniqueness in illustrating one of nature’s inspiring displays. If that were not enough, this majestic print also has many of the abstract qualities that the artist captures so eloquently in all of his images. I have never seen or experienced such an intimate gathering of turtles, or ever imagined that such remarkable reptiles could have such breathtaking design features, together with a sumptuous color palette that is nothing short of amazing. The range of colors both of saturated and delicate hues are extraordinary, and combined with the vast range of intricate and visually electrifying designs, the overall impact for the viewer is mind-boggling. No human artist could imagine or paint such a striking and awe-inspiring spectacle. One can only wonder why nature went to such lengths to attire these wonderful creatures with such a visual explosion of color and design, especially as these turtles live out of sight underwater for almost all of their lives. Perhaps here in this astounding print, one is witnessing the sea turtles surfacing in pursuit of the nearest choice piece of rock or real estate to bask on, or whether they are all males, deliberately showing off every facet of their exquisite colors and dynamic designs in order to impress a nearby female turtle. This is pure conjecture on my part. It may be prudent to suggest that these awesome reptiles need such captivating exteriors for camouflage underwater against potential predators, or imaginatively, if there are entertainment shows underwater, the turtles would visually be the highlight performers. The more one moves back to view this uplifting image , the more one is aware of its creative abstract design qualities, where the individual parts of each of the turtles, plainly visible close-up, merge into a highly colorful stylistic mosaic. This image is a nature highlight of outstanding visual beauty and dramatic impact, and is a great tribute to a virtuosic artist.

Peter Marr

 

Zombie Sunflower by Dewey Fladd

 

Zombie Sunflower

by Dewey Fladd

 

This dynamic and powerful landscape of detail from a field of sunflowers is a great tribute to the artistic vision of the author.  The color swath of deep yellows highlighted against vibrant green hues is electrifying, helped immensely by the dramatic lighting against a backdrop of approaching dark storm clouds The imposing illumination reveals every detail in the leaves and petals of the sunflowers, especially of those in the immediate foreground. Growing majestically and in profusion alongside a stand of corn, these magnificent plants have never looked as awesome as they do in this print. Amazed by nature’s magnificence, coupled with the fact that nature is for reverence, one should also be cognizant of the realization that the viewer should project one’s own imagination onto the image, and see what one wants to see. In my mind, I am profoundly aware of a large army, whose troops stretch in soldierly array as far as the eye can see, heads bowed as they listen to instructions regarding an impending battle. Every head and body is in formation, as the warrior’s listen to their leader, whose imposing presence dominates the scene. His head is also bowed, proudly mirroring those of his gallant regiment, whilst his green crown with its fearsome spikes, point dramatically skywards, highlighted imposingly against the dark, ominous clouds.  One arm can be seen, starkly cautioning the men to listen carefully to everything he says. Ironically, the vertical projections from the cornfield at the right hand side that stretch to the horizon are strangely reminiscent of a battle line that must be crossed. One is witnessing not just the golden morn before the ensuing storm, but a field of combatants, immaculately and resplendently attired, imperially awaiting their final orders. I would urge every viewer of this stellar image to both admire and perhaps take the time to delve into their own imaginary world, hopefully before they have read what I saw in this elegant field of sunflowers.

 

Peter Marr

 

 

Downward Dog by Scot Matyjaszek

Code = “Downward Dog”
by Scott Matyjaszek

For many years, I have been an ardent admirer of Scott’s “Photo-Sculptures,” and this creative collage is a great example of his innovative and distinctive style. One can only marvel at his artistic vision, his flawless attention to detail, and his uncanny ability to re-awake our experience of reality in a very profound manner. His visualization of what he wants as the final image is unsurpassed, although one must conjecture that the steps Scott has to complete to produce a definitive and satisfying 3D image are complex, but as in the “Downward Dog,” especially rewarding. In this uplifting collage, one is immersed in a pastoral quiet setting of a mature woodland, in which verdant green hues signal springtime or early summer. Into this idyllic setting there is an avant-garde summer house, whose base structure could easily be mistaken for a modern variation of a nissen hut. Certainly, in keeping with late 20th. century architectural visionaries, the doors and windows definitely do not adhere to any conventional openings. Somewhat strangely, this unusual building is fronted by garden elements that are very traditional. Richard Fahey has famously stated that: “Perception is personal, we see what we see.” In Scott’s intriguing piece, I did not see a dog, rather a very different animal. I can plainly visualize an Arctic landscape, devoid of trees, where on an ice-floe, there is a Polar Bear, in a pose that is truly characteristic of the species. The powerful legs are easily supportive of the imposingly-arched back and the massive shoulders and head, the latter culminating in the elongated muzzle, which is deftly probing the blow-hole in the ice for any unsuspecting seal that may surface for air. Although Polar Bears are uniquely all white or off-white, I envisage that we are in the short summer season in the Arctic, so the small window structures are definitive evidence of areas where the fur is molting. The garden shrubs are certainly pockets of water and ice in the tundra landscape, making the whole scenario very believable.

The ultimate skill of Scott’s creativeness, is to present the viewer with an elegant and thought-provoking collage, so that anyone can use their visual awareness to perceive what they imagine they see. In this superb piece, he has definitely done this by imposingly embracing creativity.

Peter Marr 

 

Autumn Symphony by Dan Nolan

 

Autumn Symphony
by Dan Nolan

This is an impressive assembly of fallen foliage that nature has aesthetically collected for everyone to be captivated by. The color palette is resplendent, with an infinite variety of values and uplifting hues that expressively support the unique shapes and textures of each leaf. If that were not enough, the lovely lighting accentuates the frost and snow covered leaf edges, together with the powdery snowfall, where delicate flakes dance in the background. Sadly, this may be their last hurrah before these leaves are swept ignominiously into a plastic container, or sucked into the entrails of a vacuum machine that prowls the streets, swallowing everything in its path. For myself, I would like to think that this elegant array of leaves, so creatively captured by the artist, will be recycled into the earth to provide valuable nutrients for future generations of trees and vegetation. Furthermore, it is important to remember the valuable contribution that these leaves gave when they proudly adorned the neighborhood trees, giving life and beauty throughout the seasons. With the onset of autumn and early winter, each of these leaves had to say goodbye to their companions as they were carried to earth by the prevailing winds. How fitting that many of these leaves should end up united not only with their own-kind, but foliage from other tree species, triumphantly continuing their quest for enriching their surroundings. Dan has given us an illustrious image that brilliantly captures the passage of time with serene eloquence.

Peter Marr

 


Peter Marr

We are very grateful to Peter for his thorough review and selection for Peter's Picks. Peter was born in England in 1935 and came to live in the United States in 1968. He worked for the Eastman Kodak Company for 34 years, retiring in 1998. During his employment and continuing into retirement, he has been an enthusiastic photographer. His photography has won him numerous awards throughout Kodak and in International Salons, including 5 George Eastman Medals, which is the top honor awarded to the most outstanding picture in the Annual Kodak International Salon. He has served as a judge in both local and international photographic competitions for the past 20 years, and is a Past president of the Kodak Camera Club and past chairman of many of the Kodak Camera Club organizations. In the past five years or so, he has devoted his photographic skills and interest into nature photography, notably bird photography. His bird photography has been the subject of several one-person exhibits, the most recent being at Ding Darling NWR, in Sanibel, Florida, The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, and at the Webster Public Library in Webster, NY.

  
 
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