Charles A. Hartman Fine Art is pleased to present Recent Travels, its second exhibition of Michael Kenna’s photographs. As the title implies, this selection of work reflects the artist’s latest journeys to more than ten countries, including China, Japan, Italy, Norway, India and Egypt. Kenna feels that sharing the composite scope of this most recent work has the potential to reveal insight into his creative process, including its inherent aspects of meditation and ritual.
Sparse, calm and embodying a zen-like openness, Kenna’s photographic works are often the result of long exposures that accumulate light in a manner unattainable to the human eye. It is typical for him to work on numerous photographic projects simultaneously—landscapes, seascapes, urban and industrial studies—dividing his time amongst multiple locations as inspiration strikes. The artist’s insistence to use traditional cameras and to maintain his long-time darkroom practice using silver materials continues the contemplative process. Long after Kenna has left the site as subject, it reemerges via his patience, manipulation of light and intention to transform the material into a perception of a place in time.
Originally from England and currently based in Seattle, Kenna’s decades-long career is rife with international exhibitions and awards, as well as the publication of thirty-five books of his work. Most recently, a series of his photographs was included in the 9th NW Biennial at the Tacoma Art Museum. Notably, an international retrospective exhibition of the artist’s work will begin to travel later this year into 2010. Starting at Kushiro Art Museum in Hokkaido, Japan, the exhibition will continue on to Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, France, before appearing at Palazzo Magnani Museum in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Having access to Kenna’s most recent work, most of which has never been exhibited before, is an exceptional opportunity for collectors.
Sparse, calm and embodying a zen-like openness, Kenna’s photographic works are often the result of long exposures that accumulate light in a manner unattainable to the human eye. It is typical for him to work on numerous photographic projects simultaneously—landscapes, seascapes, urban and industrial studies—dividing his time amongst multiple locations as inspiration strikes. The artist’s insistence to use traditional cameras and to maintain his long-time darkroom practice using silver materials continues the contemplative process. Long after Kenna has left the site as subject, it reemerges via his patience, manipulation of light and intention to transform the material into a perception of a place in time.
Originally from England and currently based in Seattle, Kenna’s decades-long career is rife with international exhibitions and awards, as well as the publication of thirty-five books of his work. Most recently, a series of his photographs was included in the 9th NW Biennial at the Tacoma Art Museum. Notably, an international retrospective exhibition of the artist’s work will begin to travel later this year into 2010. Starting at Kushiro Art Museum in Hokkaido, Japan, the exhibition will continue on to Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, France, before appearing at Palazzo Magnani Museum in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Having access to Kenna’s most recent work, most of which has never been exhibited before, is an exceptional opportunity for collectors.