Nelson Hancock Gallery is pleased to present Interiorismo Popular, an exhibition of photographs by Seattle based photographer Seth Thompson. Beginning in 1994, Thompson has made numerous visits to a handful of villages nestled in the central Mexican highlands. His initial focus on the surrounding landscape and the ruins of a once-prosperous mining industry gradually shifted towards the area’s current inhabitants and he began photographing the interiors of churches, stores, bars and private homes. The richly colored images presented in this exhibition reveal intimate views of these private interiors.
The term “Interiorismo Popular” refers to a style of vernacular design that juxtaposes mundane household items with devotional elements and often employs exuberant colors and densely arranged altars. Interiorismo suggests both interior design and an inward direction, or looking within, and this work similarly combines a deliberate, formally rigorous photographic style with an exploration of the intimacies of private domestic spaces. These images were created using very long exposures in dim available light, and the resulting prints capture subtle plays of light and reflected color, and reveal rich tones and detail in even the most obscure shadows.
January 28 - March 19, 2006
Reception for the Artist
Saturday, January 28, 2006
6-8pm
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, noon-6pm and by appointment