Artist Statement
“The two most engaging powers of a [photographer]
are to make new things familiar and familiar
things new.” -W. Thackeray
are to make new things familiar and familiar
things new.” -W. Thackeray
My photography is about industry and the workers
who make industrial progress possible. In each of these
industrial places, I see beauty. I see beauty in what was intended
for functionality. I see this beauty in the color, lines,
repeating shapes, and unique locations. I also see beauty in the
hardworking people who labor in industrial settings.
I enjoy recognizing and glorifying all of the work that these workers
perform. Their work makes everyday life possible,
and photographing these workers is my way of thanking
them for all of the difficult labor they do for
so many people. Industrialization, has been a positive
contribution to society, because it has helped
us to grow, learn, and change.
who make industrial progress possible. In each of these
industrial places, I see beauty. I see beauty in what was intended
for functionality. I see this beauty in the color, lines,
repeating shapes, and unique locations. I also see beauty in the
hardworking people who labor in industrial settings.
I enjoy recognizing and glorifying all of the work that these workers
perform. Their work makes everyday life possible,
and photographing these workers is my way of thanking
them for all of the difficult labor they do for
so many people. Industrialization, has been a positive
contribution to society, because it has helped
us to grow, learn, and change.
In my photographs, man and the industrial design depend on
each other, both symbolically and aesthetically. Symbolically, the design
depends on man, who plays the role of creator and caretaker.
Man created these industrial environments, and now these
environments depend on man to perform continuous upkeep
of them. Likewise, man depends on these industrial environments
for the creation and maintenance of his material progress and his
standard of living. Aesthetically, man is essential to each of
these pieces because without man, there would not be the design.
However, the design is just as essential to the piece because without
the design, man would not have the same beauty to appreciate.
each other, both symbolically and aesthetically. Symbolically, the design
depends on man, who plays the role of creator and caretaker.
Man created these industrial environments, and now these
environments depend on man to perform continuous upkeep
of them. Likewise, man depends on these industrial environments
for the creation and maintenance of his material progress and his
standard of living. Aesthetically, man is essential to each of
these pieces because without man, there would not be the design.
However, the design is just as essential to the piece because without
the design, man would not have the same beauty to appreciate.
Photography is about seeing beyond the everyday in order to
appreciate what is the everyday. Man is the one who has created
all of these functional objects that I view as beautiful designs. Now he
has to do continual upkeep of this creation. In the continuous upkeep,
the beauty in the design has become forgotten in the mundane
everydayness of man’s continuous labor upon the industrial worksite.
My hope is that my theme will aid in the appreciation of
design and help the viewer to see beyond the everyday
through the beauty in the everyday.
appreciate what is the everyday. Man is the one who has created
all of these functional objects that I view as beautiful designs. Now he
has to do continual upkeep of this creation. In the continuous upkeep,
the beauty in the design has become forgotten in the mundane
everydayness of man’s continuous labor upon the industrial worksite.
My hope is that my theme will aid in the appreciation of
design and help the viewer to see beyond the everyday
through the beauty in the everyday.
I appreciate all of the help and support that everyone has given me, especially those who allowed me to photograph their workplace. I also appreciate all of the understanding and courtesy that they gave me. I would like to thank my husband who has supported me throughout the whole process, all of my professors who have taught me and challenged me to be a better photographer, and to everyone who has come to support me today. I hope that everyone can enjoy the beauty in these photographs and learn to appreciate those who work so hard to create and maintain society’s industrial progress.
