Etherton Gallery’s 35th year begins with visions that are dark, disturbing and often revelatory.
“Shadowlands,” the gallery’s first show of the season, features works by Joel-Peter Witkin, Roger Ballen and Alice Leora Briggs. That’s kind of an all-star lineup.
Witkin’s camera can linger on the macabre — death is a favorite subject, body parts often creep into his lense’s range. Subjects with physical deformities are a favorite. But his camera can also capture unspeakable beauty. He turns to artists such as Dali and Caravaggio for inspiration. And always, it’s difficult to look at his work and not be confronted with moral issues.
Ballen had his beginnings in documentary photography, but over his 40-year career, his work has evolved to incorporate the unreal with his very real subjects. His images can be haunting. Like Witkin, he is drawn to society’s outsiders, and one often is pulled into a sort of visual drama with his work.
Alice Leora Briggs’ chine collè woodcuts in this show are among her new works. Her pieces are detailed and intense, and these new works incorporate words and serve as an homage to poet Mark Strand.
An artists reception is planned for 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. The show continues through Nov. 12. In addition, Witkin will discuss his work at a 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 talk at the Center for Creative Photography, in the University of Arizona Fine Arts Complex, near North Park Avenue and East Speedway. The lecture and the opening are free. Information: ethertongallery.com or 624-7370.
