Don’t miss your chance! Just a few days left to view “Take it From Here,” an exhibition of photographs exploring the concept of family curated by Zora J Murff and Rana Young, featuring artists: Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Widline Cadet, Jasmine Clarke, Paul Guilmoth, Kathryn Harrison, Elizabeth Hibbard, Tommy Kha, Alec Kaus, Nadiya Nacorda, Lindley Warren Mickunas.
The east gallery of Brick City features Murff’s and Young’s collaborative work titled “Talking Back,” and the west gallery features a selection of imagery from multiple photographers exploring the same theme.
Zora J Murff is an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Arkansas. He received his MFA in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and holds a BS in Psychology from Iowa State as well. According to his personal website, “Murff uses photograph as a way to explore histories of American systems and the role imagery plays in shaping our belief in them.” Zora is able to dually use his skills in both psychology and art to challenge cultural and societal restrictions by way of photography, and through this, “has emerged as a distinguished voice in […] dealing with the complex intersections of race and American society,” states Michael Famighetti of Aperture. Zora’s work has been featured in The New Yorker, VICE Magazine, The British Journal of Photography, and The New York Times.
Rana Young is also an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Arkansas. She received her MFA in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln where she was an Othmer Fellow; she also has a BFA in Studio Art from Portland State University. In an interview with Brennan Booker of Lenscratch, Rana states her work is created through constructing “images that balance organic intimacy and cinematic theatricality by implementing symbolism, color theory, and seductive lighting.” Through the process of experimenting with the desired outcomes within her images, Rana has seen photography “become an instrument to articulate visually what [she observes] both internally and externally” (FotoRoom). Her work has been featured in Hyperallergic, VICE Magazine, The Huffington Post, The British Journal of Photography, and The New York Times. Rana has even launched her own digital platform called PHOTO-EMPHASIS, along with Alec Kaus, that shares photography from educators and students.
“Take it From Here” and “Talking Back” opened January 27 at the Brick City Gallery and will be closing February 22. Address: 215 W. Mill St, Springfield, MO 65806. Hours: 11am-6pm Monday through Friday, Saturday noon-4pm, closed on holidays. Call 417-837-2330 for additional information.