Artist's Statement
Ecclesiastes has influenced my thinking for much of my life. To me, it is a philosophical text that touches on some of life’s most important guiding principles and speaks to universal truths across cultures. Similarly, my photographs are about capturing the essence of humanity through works that, while taken around the globe, transcend any one time or place, and capture the beauty and complexity of the human spirit. Each image in this show was specifically chosen to relate to a specific verse in Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes is a text that I gravitated to as a youth, and have returned to re-read time and again. For me, it made sense to pair my images with a text that has also permeated my thinking. Unlike many religious texts, Ecclesiastes has a universal message – it is neither a call to worship nor a pronouncement of a single truth. In my mind it is a wisdom text on how to lead and live your day-to-day life (I am not keen on the final chapter as it deviates in tone, texture and substance.)
Each photograph relates to a specific verse from Ecclesiastes. The works are drawn from different times and geographies, and each tells a powerful narrative. Together the images serve as a parable for Ecclesiastes. The works seek to be universal, eschewing details that tie them to a particular time, culture or place. In my mind, Ecclesiastes is a book of universal truth. It is a text that speaks to all cultures; it is a life affirming text about how important it is to live first and foremost in this lifetime, to enjoy the fruits of your labor, to have fun, and to seek wisdom.
When you first enter the exhibit, the referenced verses of Ecclesiastes are adhered to stark white walls. This part of the exhibit is a quiet reflective space. I want the viewer to first tackle the verses before seeing the photographs. I then want the viewer to see the images and create their own associations between image and verse.
Many of the verses I re-wrote to make the language more accessible (e.g., less sexist). For example, Ecclesiastes 11:2 "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." I transformed that verse into “Diversify. Shit happens.” That was what was adhered to the wall.