Repository

At the Hour of Our Death

2010-04-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Death, like birth, is part of a process. However, the processes of death–the events leading up to the end of life, the moment of one's last breath, and the aftermath of death-- are often shielded from view. Today in Western society most families leave to a complete stranger the responsibility of preparing a loved one’s body for its final resting place. Traditional mourning practices, which allowed for the creation of Victorian hair jewelry or other memento mori items, have fallen out of fashion. Now the stain of death is quickly removed, and the scene where a death occurs is cleaned and normalized. As Phillipe Aries writes, “Society no longer observes a pause; the disappearance of an individual no longer affects its continuity”. The modern means of dealing with death promises to shield mourners from the most graphic aspects of death, yet the emotional and psychological impact of such loss lingers long after any physical evidence of this process has been erased.

Suicide with Gun, Female, 60 years old

Seizure, Male, 25 years old

Suicide with Gun, Male, 40 years old

At the age of seventeen I lost a friend to suicide. While visiting his home the day after the tragic news I witnessed a clean up crew steam cleaning the carpet in his bedroom. All physical traces of the past 24 hours had vanished.

Illness, Female, 60 years old

Suicide with Gun, Male, 40 years old

Heart attack, Male, 50 years old (I)

At the Hour of Our Death takes as its starting point Aries's observation that “death's invisibility enhances its terror”. These large-scale color photographs capture and fully illuminate swatches of bedding, carpet and upholstery marked with the signs of the passing of human life. The fabrics which are first removed by a trauma scene clean up crew, are relocated to a warehouse before being incinerated. It is in the warehouse that I photograph these fragments stained with bodily fluids. I tack each swatch to the wall and use the crew’s floodlights to illuminate the scene. The images are my attempt to slow the moments before and after death to a single frame, to allow what is generally invisible to become visible, and to engage with a process from which we have become disconnected.

Heart attack, Male, 50 years old (II)

Heart attack, Male, 50 years old (III)

Overdose, Female, 45 years old

Review in the Houston Chronicle

2010-04-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

Artist presents an unsanitized, yet beautiful, vision of death
By DOUGLAS BRITT Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle

Anyone who saw photographer Sarah Sudhoff's Repository last year at Art League Houston — work that grew out of her 2004 surgery for cervical cancer — already knows she turns an unwavering gaze on the body in medical contexts. Tissue samples, blood-soaked gauze, medical instruments, the artist herself — all were served up for the examination of anyone who dared to look.

In her second Houston solo show, At the Hour of Our Death at De Santos Gallery, Sudhoff again draws inspiration from personal experience. At 17, she lost a friend to suicide and watched a crew steam-clean his bedroom carpet, removing the signs of what had transpired just hours before. For her new series of color photos — all works date from 2010 — she's trained her lens on what trauma-scene cleanup crews whisk away from the scenes where death occurs.

It sounds morbid. But Sudhoff's preoccupation isn't so much with death's gruesomeness as our conflicted relationship with what is, after all, a process we all go through.

“Today, in Western society, most families leave to a complete stranger the responsibility of preparing a loved one's body for its final resting place,” Sudhoff writes in one of the clearest artist statements I've read in recent memory. “Traditional mourning practices, which allowed for the creation of Victorian hair jewelry or other memento mori items, have fallen out of fashion. Now the stain of death is quickly removed, and the scene where a death occurs is cleaned and normalized. … The modern means of dealing with death promises to shield mourners from the most graphic aspects of death, yet the emotional and psychological impact of such loss lingers long after any physical evidence of this process has been erased.”

Sudhoff photographs trauma-scene bedding, carpet and upholstery swatches — all stained with body fluids from a recent death — in a warehouse where they are temporarily held before incineration. She tacks each swatch to the wall, where it is illuminated by the crew's floodlights, and tries “to slow the moments before and after death to a single frame,” she writes.

She titles each 40-by-30-inch print with the cause of death followed by the gender and age of the victim. Because the color is gorgeously saturated and the compositions are reminiscent of post-World War II abstract painting, you're immediately drawn to their formal beauty, only to be stopped in your tracks by the truth. You might think you've seen the rich blues and stained composition in a Helen Frankenthaler painting, but Frankenthaler never painted Heart Attack, Male, 50 years old (II). No, that's not a study after a canvas from Adolph Gottlieb's Burst series; it's Suicide with Gun, Male, 40 years old.

The photos' richly textured beauty gives way to repulsion, then back to beauty again. A similar tension operates between feelings of immersion and detachment. Confronting Sudhoff's evidence on her terms — “to allow what is generally invisible to become visible, and to engage with a process from which we have become disconnected” — is both awful and strangely consoling.

New Work

2009-11-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

At the Hour of Our Death, a work in progress, will open March 13, 2010 at De Santos Gallery. I'm very happy to have my second solo show in Houston and have the ability to exhibit new work. The project will be less than a year old by March but I hope to have a great start on this new series. The show coincides with Fotofest.

I also found out today that Cactus Bra in San Antonio is interested in showing my work. Most likely I will show new work from the Repository series along with a few videos. The show is scheduled for May 2010.

Suicide with Gun, Female, 60 years old (2010)
40 x 30 inches, Archival pigment print

Visual Overload

2009-09-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

I remember. I was there standing on the Brooklyn promenade watching in horror. I awoke that morning to my windows rattling from the explosion as the first plane hit the tower. I stood watching the television screen as the second plane collided with the second tower and again heard my windows vibrate. I was working at Time Magazine during this period and thought of racing to work but soon realized the subways would be shut down. I grabbed my camera and two rolls of film and headed on foot from Carroll Gardens to Brooklyn Heights to do the only thing I could do, to be a witness.

I can still remember screaming and the sound of screams and cries all around me as myself and hundreds of others watched helpless from across the river as the first tower fell. Debris and smoke blew across the river and into Brooklyn forcing us all to evacuate the area. I went to the nearest hospital to wait for victims and to help in anyway I could. No one came. I hitched a ride in an ambulance with several reporters down to ground zero. We were kept a few streets back due to the smoke and damage caused to surrounding buildings. After spending who knows how long pacing the streets of Tribeca and feeling again helpless I started on foot back home–up the island to the Brooklyn Bridge and over in to Carroll Gardens. I have no idea how long it took to get home nor when I was finally able to get through to my family and tell them I was alright.

I have so many stories from the days that followed and the photographs I encountered while at the magazine. Most never released to the public. However, I felt compelled to look, to understand, to feel and to let these photographs imprint themselves on me.

I do not need to see footage of burning towers to remind me what day it is. Can we not show something more uplifting? Although I left New York two years ago, the emotions of that day are very much on the surface.

Daniel Cooney Artist Auction

2009-08-16T03:46:00.000-07:00

Daniel Cooney's "Late Summer Emerging Artist Auction" is going on now through September 2nd. Works are priced at $200.00. Please help support the gallery and all the emerging artists in the auction. Happy bidding.

Artists include:
Samantha Cohn, June Glasson, Mikael Kennedy, Toni Pepe, Rafael Soldi, Sarah Sudhoff, Grant Willing among others.

Image credit:
Sarah Sudhoff
Cowboys and Indians (2008)

New Q&A with photographers Tribble & Mancenido

2009-07-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished a new Q&A with collaborative photographic team Tribble & Mancenido who also happen to be husband and wife. I had the pleasure of seeing their work first hand and meeting them at the recent Houston Center for Photography exhibition.

I can truly appreciate the sacrifice and dedication they put forth to bring this series to life.

Please find the full interview on the Austin Center for Photography blog.

Image credit:
Moto Mart, Perryville, MO 2008

Student Work

2009-06-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

This summer I am teaching two 10 week courses at the Houston Community College as well as a number of courses at the Houston Center for Photography. Needless to say I am in the thick of it and hoping to inspire my students even though the classes are long–nearly five hours at a time and its hot as hell. On top of it my HCC classes have to bring in their own water to process their black and white film since the tap water is coming in at almost 100 degrees.

I have a few standard assignments I have students complete at the start of each new session. I introduced the LIGHT assignment to my teen intro digital photography class at HCP and have attached two of my favorite images created by one student. This was a four session course and this was their second assignment. The images are Uta Barth inspired, as if you couldn't tell.

Who Knew

2009-06-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have my sorority series syndicated through Redux Pictures in New York. Out of the blue I'll receive a check in the mail for an image or two running but I'm not always sure where it ran(I don't google myself enough) or when. Just today I got an email from someone who saw one of my images in Forbes magazine. Sure enough it ran in April 2009. I always have mixed feelings whether to allow my personal work to be used out of context but for editorial purposes. I can say the money I have made from it being published a number of times in the last few years has paid for the project–film, two plane tickets, processing and scanning. The first major running of the work was in iO Donna an Italian magazine which ran 10 or so images. Of course since its syndicated I only make half of what Redux is paid for the images.

Highs and Lows

2009-06-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Its been nearly a month since I've posted anything. In that time I had a quick trip to New York to visit friends and I was lucky enough to see the American debut of Sophie Calle's Take Care of Yourself show at Paula Cooper Gallery.

Displaying a unique approach to what might otherwise inflict emotional trauma, artist Sophie Calle rose to challenge an ex's breakup email suggestion to "take care of yourself" by asking 107 professional women to analyze and interpret the email's content. Calle's voyeuristic sleuthing and disclosure of intimate details — delving into explorations of public-versus-private life — has made her one of France's most renowned conceptual artists. Take Care of Yourself exhibits these personal responses to a painful message (ranging from live performance to academic discourse), which leaves viewers both uncomfortable and reflectively empathetic.
– Renata Christen

Ironically while at the exhibition I got the call I had been waiting for from the University of Akron that I had not been offered the full time tenure track position. Honestly it was quite the let down. Ironically though later that night my father called after finding a medical photographer position open in Texas which I immediately applied for. Still waiting to hear if I'll get an interview there or not.

Last week I moved to Houston for the summer to teach two courses at Houston Community College and a number of short courses at the Houston Center for Photography. Classes began today and I'm excited about teaching for the next two months.

In the realm of my own work I found out I did not win an award at the NY Photo festival, get in to the HCP annual member show or receive the Women in Photography grant however the winner will be announced this Wednesday. Sometimes you just don't get any slack.

But to end on a positive note I had the pleasure of meeting Alec Soth for the first time last week. The non-profit I helped start, The Austin Center for Photography had its second 'Icons of Photography' lecture on Thursday evening at the Blanton Auditorium. I was the chief organizer for this event and was able to spend a good deal of time with Alec and his wife. I'm happy to report, Rachel bought boots and we took her and Alec to the Broken Spoke for a night of country dancing. And yes they both hit the dance floor. No, no photos to prove it.

New York Photo Awards Nominee

2009-05-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

I know its been a while since I've posted. I've been swamped with end of the semester grading, applying for jobs and interviewing.

I just found out today I was selected as a nominee for this years New York Photo Festival Photo Awards. I wish I could attend the festival which begins tomorrow. I will be in New York but not for another two weeks. I wanted to submit work for all the categories but at the time I only had $30. So I entered a self-portrait I did last year, Not Like My Mother (2008).

Winners are announced on Friday at the gala in New York. I'll keep you posted.

New feature on ACP Blog

2009-04-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know I'm a founding board of trustees for the Austin Center for Photography and also the ACP blog editor. I'm very excited to announce a new feature to our blog. I recently interviewed the collaborative team of Benjamin Drummond and Sara Steele and their on going project, Facing Climate Change.

To see the entire interview please check out the ACP blog.

I'm always looking for new features as well as blog contributors from experts in the field of photography including: professors, curators, artists, editorial and commercial photographers etc. Please contact me at sarahsudhoff@gmail.com regarding writing for the blog.

Rx

2009-04-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce my first international exhibition, Rx, opens this Saturday, April 18th at IPS (In Plain Site) Gallerie in Montreal.

I wish I could afford to attend since its a three person show and meet the other two artists but that's the life of an artist. Constant sacrifice and disappointment.

I'm hoping to attract an international audience for my work. It always seems that European artists are much more in line with my aesthetic than most of my American peers.

A little about the show:

IPS is pleased to present Rx, featuring works by Chantal Gervais, Cindy Stelmackowich and Sarah Sudhoff.

April 18 – May 23, 2009
Vernissage -Saturday, April 18 3 p.m.
******************************************************
Once the body has been deemed "ill", what was personal necessarily becomes public, beginning with the fact of the illness itself, which must be shared with medical professionals and others, and continuing with the invasive scrutiny of medical testing and the possible indignities of intervention.

The three artists whose photographs are featured in Rx work to control the representation of the self within the medical context, a context which has so often functioned to strip patients, particularly women, of agency. In constructing collages from MRI scans of her own body, including a re-gendered, technologically contemporary Vitruvian, Chantal Gervais willingly offers up what is ordinarily personal, interior and unseen, to the gaze of the viewer. The digital collages of Cindy Stelmackowich bring together lithographs that illustrated 19th-century anatomical atlases and illustrations of shipwrecks and other disasters from journals of the same era. In these re-colourized images, the internal torment the study of medicine may repress is returned to the patient, as cavities opened up for examination are made to reveal the panic and struggle within. Sarah Sudhoff began to produce self-portraits, films and performances in hospitals, morgues, medical museums and offices after undergoing surgery for cervical cancer in 2004. Her work focuses on the emotional as well as physical impact of illness, and includes images of the vulnerable body faced with the intractability of medical machinery, and of the residue of treatment on the flesh, and the sad beauty of medical waste.

Chantal Gervais is the recipient of the 2002 Duke and Duchess of York Prize in Photography. She received an M.A. in Art and Media Practice from the University of Westminister in London, U.K., and teaches photography and media at the University of Ottawa.

Cindy Stelmackowich’s work has been shown in solo and group exhibits in both Canada and the U.S. She teaches art history at Carleton University, and her writings have appeared in numerous journals and publications.

Sarah Sudhoff, a Texas-based photographer who has exhibited internationally, is a founding board member for the Austin Center for Photography in Austin, Texas and was recently included in Hysteria: Past Yet Present at Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey.

Capsule Art Review

2009-04-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

A recent review in the Houston Press by Troy Schulze.

"Sarah Sudhoff — Repository" San Antonio-based photographer Sarah Sudhoff's first solo show scores for its bravery in depicting something as emotionally loaded as cancer treatment with bold austerity and subtle humor. The artist underwent surgery for cervical cancer in 2004, survived it and began examining medical environments through photography and video. Included are nicely saturated color photos of sample cups, bloody gauze, uninhabited examining rooms and tissue samples, along with large-scale, elegantly composed self-portraits in varying examination poses. One, Exam 2, in which Sudhoff sits upright on an exam table dressed in a plaid smock and bright green stockings, her feet resting in the stirrups, references the portrait series for Matthew Barney's overtly masculine Cremaster films, but from a feminine perspective. Sudhoff extracts herself from the photo's accompanying video — in which she passes time going through drawers and medical tools (she eventually administers her own pap smear and reads The New Yorker) — to pose for a picture. In another video, she bathes in a stainless steel basin. The clinical and stark nature of the work sustains an earthbound, taut tension that suggests stifled emotion ready to explode. Sudhoff is keeping it together while ugly, bloody reality lurks in the hospital's various repositories. Through April 17. Art League Houston, 1953 Montrose, 713-523-9530. — TS

Real Body Art

2009-03-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Just received this article this morning from a former professor of mine. I happen to have my own 'body art' project in progress. Luckily mine does not involve waiting for people to die like this Russian artist. And you thought I was weird......

TILL DEATH DO US SCULPT: RUSSIAN TO RENDER HUMAN BODIES INTO ART MATERIALS

Andrei Molodkin has made moulds of praying hands and a brain which eventually will be filled with the boiled down crude oil from the body of the BBC reporter Sasha Gankin. It gives a grim new meaning to the term body art. A leading contemporary Russian artist says he has perfected a technique to boil human corpses into crude oil from which he will create permanent
sculptures, and he has already signed up willing volunteers. Andrei Molodkin, who will represent Russia at this year's Venice Biennale, claims that after spending three to six months in a high-pressure machine, a corpse becomes oil that can be used to
power cars or be moulded into a permanent memorial statue to sit on the mantelpiece. His work is the ultimate extension of a growing trend for artists to use human bodies as art materials. The sculptor Marc Quinn made a study of his head from his frozen blood; Gilbert and George regularly use bodily fluids in their art, and Günther von Hagens's Body Worlds exhibition
of preserved corpses is on at London's O2. Paris-based Molodkin, 43, has already signed up the BBC reporter Sasha Gankin, who wants to be rendered into a sculpture of a brain, as well as a French porn star, Chloé des Lysses, who wants to be turned into a model of praying hands. Conscious he may have to wait several decades before putting these plans into action, Molodkin
has also signed up some HIV sufferers in New York, whom he expects to die "in one or two years"._IndependentUK

I live in the wrong country

2009-03-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

A BIZARRE hospital-themed restaurant in Latvia is serving food resembling body parts with surgical utensils.

Decked out in a sterile, modern medical environment and boasting scantily clad nurses, the Hospitalis in Riga serves hearty Latvian dishes and a macabre cake topped with realistic-looking body parts such as fingers, noses and tongues.

Owned by a group of local doctors, Hospitalis also has a trendy cocktail bar where bartenders in white lab coats mix drinks into beakers and test tubes.

Guests are treated to disturbing dinner entertainment including morbid tunes on violins, while deranged patients are escorted through the restaurant in straightjackets and wheelchairs.

My they would like to purchase some of my photographs???

Mary Ellen Mark and the Austin Center for Photography

2009-03-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

This Thursday marks the first official Austin Center for Photography event with a lecture by Mary Ellen Mark. Although we have co-sponsored events such as slideluck and a panel discussions at the Austin Museum of Art the 'Icons of Photography' lecture series was conceived by ACP in one of our first board meeting over a year ago. I first met with a group of photo enthusiasts in January of 2008 and since then we have meet every month sometimes two and three times during a month for the last year.

Thursday will be the culmination of all our efforts to date to create an intelligent dialogue about photography and create a cohesive photography community in Austin, Texas. I am speechless that its all happening and that we are so lucky to kick off the lecture series with Mary Ellen Mark.

It was in Austin over a decade ago when I was a photojournalism student at the University of Texas that I first studied Mark. My favorite image to date is of a young woman in a mental institution who is almost fully submerged in a soapy bath. The water frames her face, and her dark hair is a nice contrast to the sterile white claw foot tub she is in. The gaze of the woman is distant. The image is haunting and beautiful. I always wondered if Mark simply stood over her or if she needed a ladder to create the image. Is there a frame in which the woman meets Mark's gaze? The image is part of a longer series titled Ward 81.

In 1975, photographer Mary Ellen Mark was assigned by a magazine to do a story on the making of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, shot on location at the Oregon State Hospital, a mental institution. While there, she met, briefly, the women of Ward 81.

Ward 81 is the women's security ward of the hospital, the only locked ward for women in the state. The women on this ward are considered dangerous to themselves or to others.

In February of 1976, Mary Ellen and Karen Folger Jacobs, a writer and social scientist, were given permission to live on the ward in order to photograph and interview the women. They spent thirty-six days on Ward 81.

I will have to pinch myself several times this week. I am fortunate to be able to attend the lecture at the Blanton Auditorium Thursday evening, a Texas Monthly Talks taping on Thursday morning and a private ACP dinner with Mark.

If you haven't yet become an ACP member its not too and don't forget to RSVP for the event. The lecture starts at 7 with a book signing to follow.

Ward 81, Oregon State Hospital, Salem, Oregon, USA, 1976 Copyright Mary Ellen Mark

A Little R&R

2009-03-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

The show successfully opened Friday. Despite three other large openings in Houston we had a steady crowd all night. I can't say a piece sold of the wall just yet but most people picked up a catalogue and were sweet enough to ask me to sign it.

On Friday, a few hours before the opening I was interviewed on KPFT as part of the segment called Living Art. Our segment starts 25 minutes in. It was the first time I got to meet Michael Galbreth and Sandra York–two cancer survivors and local Houston artists. Both will be participating in the panel discussion March 21 at Art League.

The biggest shock of the night came when my grandparents from Florida walked in to surprise me. Thank you to my family for making it happen and to the friends and family who made it out that night. Your presence meant the world to me. A special note goes to Gary Schott–my partner and biggest fan for supporting me in so many ways during the last few months.

Its somewhat surreal to be on the other side of the opening. I worked so hard for so many months to produce the show and the catalogue I can't quite get over the fact the big night is behind me. However I am gearing up for the panel discussion.

If you didn't make it out that night the show runs through April 17. I'll be posting installation shots and more photos soon.

Repository: Photographs and Video by Sarah Sudhoff Opens Friday

2009-03-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

My long anticipated first solo show opens Friday March 6, 2009 at Art League Houston in Houston, Texas. The reception begins at 6 and runs till 8 or later. I will be giving a brief artist talk at 6:15 so arrive early.

Monday I traveled to Houston and along with Sarah Schellenberg, exhibitions coordinator at AL and Tommy Gregory a friend and preparator at Blue Star Contemporary Art Space in San Antonio, hung 14 photographs and one flat screen. Two large pieces had to be re-framed at the last minute and one of the two flat screens we ordered arrived late. So I'm driving back to Houston Thursday evening to start bright and early at the gallery on Friday to hang one 40x50 and one 30x40 along with the second flat screen all before my interview with a local radio station for a segment called Living Art.

I wish I could say this has been an easy process but not having a team to work with and coordinating the printer, framer, designer and offset printer and working with several deadlines was overwhelming. And of course there are last minute snags and the issue of funds. Since the show is at a non-profit most of the expense for producing the show as well as curating and installing lies with the artist. Luckily Art League offers a stipend and some assistance. I look forward to the day I have a team which can handle printing and framing. Another team which focuses on promotion and grant writing and another team which takes care of installing and selling of the work.

I don't feel the show looks or is perfect. Given an unlimited budget there would be more small pieces or a few more large scale photographs. Like I've been told over and over by friends who have recently had their first solo shows its not going to be perfect. You learn and you move on.

The Catalog is Here!!!

2009-03-03T14:19:00.001-08:00

I have never before produced my own catalog to accompany an exhibition. It was quite the learning process from what offset printing really costs to paper selection, turn around times and the series of color and press proofs. My designers at Wyattbrand: Rachel, Pam and Teddy and my contact Betty at Capital Printing all made the process so easy. I had enough stress with printing 14 new pieces and framing them as well as securing two flat screens and one large projector all for the exhibition opening this Friday.

The catalog is 24 pages including 10 images, two new images created for the solo exhibition. Anonda Bell, director and curator at Rutgers University wrote a two page essay titled 'Unapologetic Aesthetics'. The catalog also includes a short cv and acknowledgements.

The limited edition catalog will be available for purchase at Art League Houston for $15 during the run of the exhibition as well as here on the blog for $20 which includes shipping. Payments are accepted through Paypal. Please contact me if you prefer to mail a personal check.

Beauty Knows No Pain

2009-02-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

Beauty Knows No Pain opens tonight at the Houston Center for Photography. The exhibition features the work of two friends–O. Rufus Lovett and Leah DeVun.

Borrowing its title from the 1972 documentary by Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt and the slogan of the Kilgore Rangerettes, this two-person exhibition addresses the perception of femininity in contemporary American culture.

Texas photographer O. Rufus Lovett´s celebrated black and white photographs of the Kilgore Rangerettes dance drill team reveal a long-standing tradition of discipline and teamwork towards the achievement of youthful glamour, uniformity, and synchronicity.

Emerging artist Leah DeVun´s color portraits of young Houston girls dressed up as Hannah Montana depict a subset of popular culture fixated on emulating a young female icon. This juxtaposition probes at the varied performative rituals of young American women and girls who, regardless of their socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, desire to embrace celebrity and femininity.

I first met O. Rufus while working as a photo editor at Texas Monthly Magazine. O. Rufus produces some of the most stunning black and white medium format images. I first came to know of his work in one of his many books, Weeping Mary. If you don't already own one of his books consider this one or his series Kilgore Rangerettes on view at HCP.

Although I will be unable to make the opening this evening I did have the opportunity to see Leah's prints a few weeks ago. In the process of proofing the images for my upcoming solo show at Art League Houston I ran in to Leah and her work at Que Imaging. Being an emerging artist and producing my first solo show, it is comforting to know that Leah was going through similar hurdles to get this work together in time. I wish her luck tonight.

Opening tonight at Austin City Hall

2009-02-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to participate in my first exhibition for the City of Austin which opens this evening at City Hall. The opening reception for the 5th Annual People's Gallery is from 5:30-7:30 pm.

When I went to drop off my piece Open House from my sorority series it was shocking to see how much art was on permanent display in city hall. I typically don't think of a government buildings displaying anything more than cookie cutter paintings and posters but I found myself stopping and looking at several pieces. I'm curious to see all the work that was juried in for the 2009 exhibition.

Hysteria: Past yet Present

2009-02-02T18:15:00.000-08:00

This coming Thursday Hysteria: Past yet present opens at Rutgers University. I was thrilled to be included in this exhibition so I am flying in for the opening. Its been over a year since I've returned 'home' to New York. Two self-portraits from my Repository series are included along with three new images from my Hysteria series photographed at the Mutter Museum. I wish the above photo "Eros & Thanatos” was one of mine. Maybe the photographer, Cortney Andrews will want to trade. Please join us at the opening.

February 5 – April 9, 2009
Opening Reception - Thursday, February 5, 5pm – 7pm

Hysteria is an elusive, psychosomatic, even mythical disorder, impinging on our physical, cultural, and moral concerns. It is often characterized as a mercurial state of disturbance that can be manifested in both a psychological and physical sense. The word “hysteria” comes from the Greek work hystera, a term applied to disturbances of the uterus. Addressing this topic, a number of contemporary artists have dealt directly with the work of European medical professionals Sigmund Freud and Jean-Martin Charcot by creating artwork that mirrors aspects of their studies. This exhibition will explore hysteria in relation to gender construction, feminine identity and pathologization, and sheer physical form given to the condition in the imagination of artists.

Artists in this exhibition:
Cortney ANDREWS,
Beth B, Zoe BELOFF,
Mary BILLYOU,
Tammy Rae CARLAND,
Jennifer DUDLEY,
Carson FOX,
Guerrilla Girls,
Lynne HELLER,
Ruth HUTCHINSON,
Georgette MANIATIS,
Jennifer MAZZA,
Cindy REHM,
Babs REINGOLD,
Sarah SUDHOFF,
Claire WATSON,
Shoshanna WEINBERGER

The Model

2009-02-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

So since this is my first solo show and I'm nervous and have apparently too much time on my hands I made a model of the space to help me edit the work and figure out a tentative layout.

The first 7 images have been sent off to be printed. 8 more will go with this week with color proofs to match. As soon as I approve them off to the framer and hopefully everything will be delivered around Feb 28 for me to start installing.

As of now, I'll have 4 videos and 18 photographs displayed. The back right corner is sectioned off as the projection room. Clean and Self Exam will be shown in there. Exam and Exam 2 videos will be shown on flatscreens in the main gallery space. Not every image from the series will be on view but I hope it is cohesive enough and highlights some of the strongest pieces in the series.

There are a few new pieces which were done for the show–one self-portrait, two still life's and two interiors. The interiors are already included on my website the others will be a surprise. The empty wall on the model is reserved for the new self-portrait. No title yet for this piece–I'm still working on that.

I had begun a new performance video but time, money and space all played a roll in cutting it from the exhibition at this time. I do hope to propose it as a small installation for two spaces in San Antonio.

39 Days and Counting

2009-01-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

Its just over a month to the show. I'm still pricing printers for my large-scale prints and catalog for the exhibition. Both the catalog and prints need to start this week. The printed images need to be to the framer February 13. I will be installing the last week of February and the last days leading up to the opening.

A small projection room is currently being laid out. Once the current show at Art League closes the walls will be built. I am still searching for flat screens and/or televisions to borrow for the show.

The cards arrive on Friday. Some will be mailed out and others will be dropped off at locations around Houston, Austin and San Antonio in the coming weeks.

The new portrait has been scanned and I'm working on a final edit. I plan to print three or four versions at 16x20 inches to determine which is the strongest image for the exhibition.

I feel like my head is spinning.

The Final Portrait

2009-01-19T20:47:00.001-08:00

I spent the today in Houston at St. Joseph's Medical Center photographing in an operating room. It took me nearly five months to get access. In the grand scheme of things its not that long unless you are on deadline.

I tried to prepare mentally for what I might want to do in the space but having never seen this specific OR I couldn't plan too much. I met my contact Louise at 12:30 and changed in to scrubs. She led me to one of the three surgical suites in the women's center. The OR was much smaller than I expected. I had photographed in an OR at St. Jo's before but in another section of the hospital.

Not knowing how long I would have, I quickly set up the RZ with a polaroid back and tried to figure out which direction to shoot. In the past when I've done my self-portraits in medical spaces I've been completely alone. I was free to act and and explore my surrounding uninhibited. However today, people continued to look in through the windows, come in to the room etc. I'm not blaming anyone its just the nature of the space. I feel this interrupted time will definitely be reflected in the images I captured today. I believe I got something worthwhile however not exactly what I had intended to create. Who knows, maybe I'll be surprised when I get the film developed.

The two already existing self-portraits taken in an exam room and morgue I had time to explore the space and get over being intimidated by my surroundings. This was not the case today. In some ways I felt the room controlled me and I was unable to control my actions and emotions in the space. Maybe its my past experiences in operating rooms or reenacting my own surgery for cervical cancer might have contributed to the vibe I was giving off and reacting to. One of the shots will go in the show. I'm not sure yet if its as strong or stronger than the two existing self-portraits. Although the same process was followed to create this new OR portrait the look and feel are a little different. I'll post a polaroid soon. I welcome any thoughts.

Rise and Shine

2009-01-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

I start my first semester teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio tomorrow. Its great to be back in the world of academia but also a bit nerve racking. I am teaching one introduction to photography course at 8am two days a week. I've never taught such an early class nor attended one as an undergrad or graduate student. I'm not much of a morning person. At least my intro to digital photography at the Southwest School of Art and Craft is in the evening.

Back Online

2009-01-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

We'll the holidays were definitely not restful. I moved Tuesday December 23rd to San Antonio then headed to Houston on Christmas day to celebrate the holiday with family.

I've finally gotten a majority of the boxes unpacked and I'm working on organizing my studio and getting ready to teach classes at The University of Texas at San Antonio as well as the Southwest School of Art and Craft. In addition I still need to send out applications for tenure track jobs and oh there is my solo show opening in ummmm two months and I'm still making a new piece for it as well as figuring out exactly what pieces are going in.

I'm hopeful to still put together a small catalog for the show but funds and time are short these days. I did recently order Amy Stein's book Domesticated since I DID NOT get it for Xmas to help inspire me and push me through.

San Antonio Here I Come

2008-12-15T19:08:00.000-08:00

As of next Monday I will be leaving Austin for San Antonio, Texas. Thank goodness its only an hour and a half away. I was offered one photography class at the University of Texas and one at the Southwest School of Art Craft. The work is only through May so I'm not sure if this is a permanent move or where I may end up come summer or fall. However I will be in Austin almost weekly teaching courses at Precision camera and the Austin Museum of Art as well as organizing and participating in all the Austin Center for Photography events.

If you are ever in the San Antonio area please give me a shout. If you know of any artists or great people in SA please send them my way. I'm very excited to get to know and become part of the artist community in San Antonio.

HOTMAIL Frustrations

2008-12-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

For some reason my hotmail account is no longer working. I have just set up a gmail account sarahsudhoff@gmail.com. My other email address info@sarahsudhoff.com is now forwarding to the gmail account. Even if hotmail comes back to life I'll be making the switch. Please update your address books. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Its Official the Austin Center for Photography is here

2008-12-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

I'm am so proud to be a part of the Austin Center for Photography. Its been almost a year since our initial meeting to create and form ACP. We have grown to 8 board members comprised of artists, photographers, educators, business owners and curators. While each of us has a different background, we all bring drive, vision and a desire to make a central location in Austin and central Texas for photographers to gather, exhibit, lecture and learn.

After moving back to Austin after living in New York for several years I was surprised to find Austin still lacked such as space. Recently I have taught and exhibited at the Houston Center for Photography and participated in shows at other non-profit photography spaces nationally. Each board member saw the same need in our community for a photo space and so we began meeting and learning the ropes of creating a non-profit.

Although we only recently became public with our non-profit we already helped sponsor a Slideluck event in Austin last month which had an attendance of nearly 400 people. We have several more events planned including a closing reception for the Salagado exhibition at the Austin Museum of Art scheduled for January 2009 and the first of our "Icons of Photography" lecture series featuring Mary Ellen Mark on March 12.

We have a website as well as a facebook group. I will be starting a blog soon reporting on our progress and upcoming events. If you would like to be contacted about future happenings please visit our website at www.visitacp.org and sign up.

Thank you to all my friends whom I contacted about starting a non-profit. Your pearls of wisdom are much appreciated.

Chris Sauter

2008-12-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended a lecture given by San Antonio artist Chris Sauter at Trinity University. I was in San Antonio on assignment for Texas Monthly. After I finished my shoot I headed over to Trinity to meet with Trish Simonite and discovered Chris was speaking.

I first came across Chris's work over a year ago at his show Workshop at FineSilver in Houston. A friend mentioned there was a large scaled uterus at the gallery. At the sound of that I headed to the gallery on my next trip to Houston. It was satisfying seeing another artist use the uterus and ovary in their work in a very different context. Chris works with numerous materials. He combines painting, drawing, sculpture and installation sometimes in to one piece or for an entire exhibition.

My principal strategies are, the transformation of common objects into other recognizable objects, extreme scale shifts, and the juxtaposition of disparate materials and images.

I have converted items from the home into landscapes or sites of natural and industrial processes to show the interaction of nature, culture, and origins, and constructed models of internal organs from common materials to position these connections within the body.

The body and the home are major themes. Because we understand the world through our bodies, it is the starting point. The home is an extension of our bodies and is the primary source for the production and propagation of culture.

Chris now has a website so please check out his work if you aren't already familiar with it.

E.A.S.T.

2008-11-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

I know its a crazy weekend filled with studio tours, slide shows and openings. Tomorrow is the last day of the studio tour.

Please come support my efforts to raise money for my solo show in the spring and purchase prints from my Sorority Rush, Repository and Hide series. All prints are priced to move. I have both framed work and loose prints in a number of sizes.

The studio is located at 3409 Werner Ave 78722. We are #138 on the east austin studio tour guide.

Slideluck Hits Austin

2008-11-16T22:52:00.000-08:00

Finally Slideluck Potshow is coming to Austin, Texas this Friday night, November 21st. The slide show begins at 7pm and is being held at a new bar on the east side called Shangi-La at 1016 East 6th Street.

Slideluck Potshow is a New York City-based, non-profit arts organization that provides an opportunity for artists and arts-appreciators to gather around food, friends, and artwork for an unforgettable night.

I attended my first Slideluck event a few years ago in Manhattan. Once I got wind that it might be coming to Austin I quickly joined to form the Austin crew responsible for organizing the event including finding a location, securing donations, press releases and submission guidelines.

Please join us this Friday night for what's sure to become an annual event. The slide show will be held outdoors so please dress for the weather.

Parent Advisory

2008-11-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

You know its a good show or at least one worth seeing when you are greeted at the entrance with a parent advisory notice.

I was pleased and also dumbfounded why a photograph of just my breasts cause such a ruckus when viewed within an artistic context. And in this specific case in an exhibition. I don't blame the gallery or museum I blame the public.

Its a heated topic for me and I'm sure other artists whose work is called pornographic, racy or is censored. I go round and round on how to change the public's view on nudity or partially nudity when a piece of art is being considered. Are all Greek and Roman statues now censored? I went to the Louvre several years ago but do they have a WARNING outside the entrance or before the many, many nude or partial clothed female figures which are seen covering the walls? I think the human body is amazing. Its beautiful, its mysterious, its erotic, its natural, its life giving and nurturing. The body is unique and at the same time ordinary when compared to everyone else's.

I realize my work has a specific audience. However I am always amazed by the comments I receive from perfect strangers. Last night, I met an older couple at the opening who loved the work. They did not mention the nudity and only commented on how moved they were by the work and how the women was brought to tears. This is not the first time this has been said to me about the work.

I don't usually blame the venue however, I feel its a real shame the Grace Museum in Abilene which is the next venue for the New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch exhibition is censoring the two partial/semi nude self-portraits. Unfortunately I will only have once piece in this venue. I can understand excluding or censoring work which is clearly pornographic or has specific sexual intentions. This couldn't be further from the truth with my work. So many woman have related to the self-portraits on many levels and I truly am sorry the woman of Abilene will miss the opportunity to see the images at their intended scale and final form. Luckily they will have two more opportunity's to see the work at Art League in March and at Diverseworks in May.

3 x 3

2008-11-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

As of late I've been on the road more than I've been at home. This week is no exception. I'll be headed to San Antonio this time for the New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch exhibition which makes its next stop at Blue Star Contemporary this Thursday from 6-8pm.

Then I'm headed back home to Austin for two openings on the east side. At New East Arts Gallery, Location: Body opening on Saturday 7-10pm, I'll be showing older pieces, yet not previously seen in Austin in a two person show with my partner Gary Schott. At Co-Lab, I'll be doing a one-night-only video installation so be sure to come out on Sunday evening from 7-11pm.

Hope to see you out at one of the shows.

Print Sale Saturday at HCP

2008-10-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'll be participating in my first print sale this coming Saturday at the Houston Center for Photography. The sale begins at 4 and runs till 8pm. There is an open bar and prints are priced below $350. Half of the proceeds go to HCP for educational funding. All proceeds from my sales will go to help produce my solo show in March. So if you are in Houston please stop by and pick up a print.

I will be selling older work and small prints from my Sorority Rush series. Hope to see you Saturday.

Coastal Galleries

2008-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you are headed for a road trip through Texas or looking for a reason to visit a quaint town on the coast, wood/metal/glass a new exhibition at the Rockport Center for the Arts opens this Saturday October 25th at 5pm. My partner Gary Schott is among the metal artists featured in the show.

Another coastal gallery, Design Works located in Galveston, I am happy to report is still standing. Gary was scheduled to have his first solo show there in May of 2009 however since hurricane Ike we've had no correspondence with the gallery owners Steve and Elisabeth. Luckily I ran in to them at Lawndale's annual fundraiser last night. While the gallery suffered severe damage, taking on seven feet of water, the art survived. Steve and Elisabeth plan to have a homecoming exhibition in the coming months. The show will go on.

Auction, Opening and Maker Faire

2008-10-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in Austin this Friday through Sunday there are plenty of things to do. Or if you happen to be looking for a reason to come to Austin there is no shortage this weekend. Not to mention, I'll be attending all these events.

First up is Jeff Wilson's exhibition,Cryptozoology at St. Edwards Fine Arts Gallery.
The opening reception is this Friday October 17, from 6–8 p.m.

Cryptozoology is the study of evidence that suggests the existence of creatures that have never before been recorded. Jeff Wilson’s images subtly insinuate the existence of the mythological, mysterious and unexplained in everyday life — and chart our attempts to reconcile them.

Next is the Texas Photographic Society's 14th Annual Collectors' Print Auction which is being held at Davis Gallery on West 12th Street also happening Friday night. The auction party is from 6:30-8:00 with the live action happening at 7:30. Keith Carter, Matt Lankes, Kenny Braun, Kate Breakey, Scott Campbell, O. Rufus Lovett and Sean Perry among others will have work on display and more importantly for sale at very affordable prices.

If photography just isn't your thing well Maker Faire is hitting Austin Saturday and Sunday October 18 and 19th at the Travis County Expo Center.

LEARN TO MAKE, CRAFT, DESIGN OR DEVELOP:
• Robots • Rockets • Bicycles • Alternative Energy Devices • Electronics • Crafts
• Circuit Boards • Sustainable Food • Musical Instruments • Wood Working
• Knitting • Eco Modding Cars • Kites • Special Effects • Sewing • and more...

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things. So much to see, you will need 2 days to see it all!

Collection Box: Hair

2008-10-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

My partner Gary and I recently completed a piece for Lawndale's annual Dia de las Muertos fundraiser. The exhibition opens October 20 and runs through November 8, 2008. The gala and silent auction are on October 23 from 6-9pm. This is our first year to participate and our first real collaborative piece.

Lawndale gave each artist a small piece of sheet metal. We were asked to incorporate this metal in to the final design and creatively explore the traditional tin devotional painting practice in Mexico known as the retablo. Gary and I like to challenge ourselves to work with materials we already have on hand. Gary had the idea to use the entire piece of sheet metal as the main structure of the retablo and only adding elements which were necessary. We both noticed in past years most artist's kept the sheet metal flat and built on top of it. Gary being a metalsmith and jewelry designer wanted the piece to have a more 3 dimensional quality. Expanding on my own work I wanted the piece so be somewhat sterile looking and a container or collection device. After I turned 30, I noticed I began shedding an unbelievable quantity of hair, making me hyper aware of my already thin hair and aging hair follicles. I have over a years worth of collected hair.

So for our Dia de las Muertos piece we created a collection box for my lost hair. Rather than throw it away and lose it completely I am able to still hold on to it in a manner of speaking.

Dedicated to a Brave Woman

2008-10-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

Its been over a week since I posted. Luckily I've been busy shooting editorial assignments for Texas Monthly and working as a contract photo editor but it hasn't afforded me the time to post.

For the last week I've also been preparing to photograph a hysterectomy which is taking place tomorrow. I was given the green light by both the hospital and the patient yet the doctor denied me access. I understand and don't want to interfere in any way in the procedure but I can't pretend I'm not very disappointed to get so close and not be able to be there when the surgery takes place.

This all came about when I was forwarded an email from another artist friend based here in Austin. The subject of the email read "Free Uterus with Tumor". I was immediately interested and began corresponding with a woman who was scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy. I found the PR contact at the hospital, had the patient fill out the release form and the surgeon was also faxed the release form. Yet this particular doctor did not understand my interest in photographing the surgery and the significance for someone, an artist, to photograph this specific procedure.

I don't doubt at some point in the future all the lights will be green and I'll be able to photograph and film a hysterectomy or cervical procedure. For whatever reason it was not meant to happen this go around. My thoughts are with this brave woman and her family. In a silly way I felt better with the idea of me being there in the operating room with her, watching over her, making sure her uterus was taken care of and looked after by someone other than a doctor.

Inspiration: Leonor Hipolito

2008-09-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

I'm often asked who is my favorite photographer or which photographers do I look at for inspiration. I always have a difficult time answering this but not because I don't have a list of great photographers on the tip of my tongue but more because the images floating through my head at any given moment are not photographs per say but artwork which sparks my imagination.

So the best way for me to answer the question I thought would be to share my inspirations and what intrigues me so much about a specific piece.

My partner who is a metalsmith and jewelry designer is always introducing me to the work of artists in his field who share a common theme or thread with my own work.

Recently I discovered Leonor Hipolito–a Portugese artist whose pieces all reference the body although some more than others. Her series Transplants first caught my attention after seeing the pieces in the Lark publication 500 Pendents. While researching her online I found several of her jewelry pieces I was already familiar with and had seen online or in similar publications.

For me her ideas seem so simple yet the construction is exquisite, her forms imaginative and materials all the more intriguing. I desire to touch and wear them. Leonor's color choices also drew me to her work. Specifically the green in her piece In-corporation / Pin for the buttonhole . As well as the red used in Objects for Dreams / Earplugs/necklace. For me these pieces successfully reference the body and the medical world. Bright colors are mixed with silver or white. Epoxy is meshed with silver or silver paired with rubber. Again recalling the textures found in or on the body as well as in sterile medical environments.

I still know very little about Leonor but hope to learn more about this artist however most of the text is in Portuguese. I'd love to know where her interest lies, what inspires her and how she chooses her materials and forms.

At times I wish my work could simply reference the body rather than be the body itself. I find there is a limited audience for my work and I might increase that audience if the work was less shocking. For now though this is the vein I'm working in and as I mature and see new work I'm sure the work will change and evolve in to something smarter.

3 Openings 1 Location

2008-09-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Several exhibitions were due to open two weeks ago but had to be rescheduled due to Hurricane Ike making landfall near Houston. Three exhibitions are opening tonight at the Houston Center for Photography.

Sage Sohier's "Perfectible Worlds" opens this evening with a look at people´s private passions and obsessions.

Mike Osborne, winner of the 2008 Fellowship, will be exhibiting "On Location: Beijing".

Learning Curve 2 features the work of HCP's educational staff and their students. One of my new self-portraits, Antonia will be one view.

A Brief Chat with Helen Levitt and a Few Other Things

2008-09-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

My friend and fellow Austinite, Sybil Miller recently interviewed Helen Levitt for photo-eye magazine. The short but wonderful interview is a must read.

New York-based photographer Helen Levitt reached her 95th birthday this past August and to help celebrate we are honored to publish writer/photographer Sybil Miller's personal reflections on Levitt’s life work's followed by a rare interview. In part two, Miller provides her insight and analysis of the various editions of Levitt's landmark book A Way of Seeing and her beautiful new monograph published by powerHouse Books.

Read Part One: A Brief Chat — which includes an introduction and the recent interview.

Read Part Two: A Way of Seeing x 3 — a comparative study of some of Levitt's most well known publications, particularly the various editions of her seminal monograph A Way of Seeing.

If you just can't get enough of Helen Levitt listen to Melissa Block's interview on NPR.

NY Arts Magazine Review

2008-09-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Women in Photography was recently featured in the NY Arts Magazine. I am so pleased to be part of this project and shown among more established female photographers.

There are more women working in the contemporary photography world than ever before. Their methods and subjects run the gamut of artistic possibility, but what unites them is the passion and effort they devote to creating extraordinary bodies of work. Women in Photography, a new online venue created by Amy Elkins and Cara Phillips, is a showcase of their work. It is a resource for photographers, editors, curators, gallery owners, and viewers alike to discover and enjoy the work of female artists. By mixing the work of emerging photographers with artists who have already achieved high levels of success within the fine art and commercial worlds, the project is designed to open a visual dialogue and create a venue to share work and ideas.

With Women in Photography, Elkins and Phillips hope to subvert the competitive and difficult nature of fine art and commercial photography. While they realize that not every female photographer faces or feels the same challenges, they acknowledge that the problems exist on a larger scale. The statistics are there. Despite the abundance of talented female photographers out there, the scale tips heavily in favor of male photographers in both the fine art and commercial fields. Rather than a cry for help or a stifled whimper about the art world being unfair towards women, the site is a proactive venture designed to draw attention to the multitude of talented female photographers and their unique visions.

With their recent launch in June of 2008, WIPNYC has already shown a tremendous amount of diversity and talent from both emerging and established artists. From their debut showcase of Elinor Carucci, whose intimate and diaristic photographs take a closer look at relationships to oneself and one’s family, they have gone on to show work by Sally Gall, Sarah Sudhoff, Ellen Renard, Lisa Kereszi and Naomi Harris. The choices and methods these photographers use are impressively unique, from Sarah Sudhoff’s beautiful and painful look at female reproductive cancer, to the technicolor world of Lisa Kereszi’s burlesque dancers and strip clubs, to Naomi Harris’ close up look at swinger parties around America.

Co-founders of WIPNYC, Amy Elkins and Cara Phillips will be speaking along with Elinor Carucci and Robin Schwartz at Aperture September 30th. Its an event which should not be missed.

I'd love to post about the event so if anyone who plans to attend would like to write a short review of the panel discussion please send it to me at info@sarahsudhoff.com

New Site Launch

2008-09-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

For those of you who don't know I recently redid my website. Well not me but a designer out of Poland actually. Michal, the designer behind Plot 29, created websites for Kathryn Parker Almanas and Caleb Charland two artists whom I had met this past year during the Santa Fe portfolio reviews. I really loved their photography work and was impressed with they way Michal designed the website to complement their work.

I had been working with several other designers and unfortunately one thing or another prevented the site from moving along or ever being finished. As soon as I started working with Michal I had mock ups of designs within a few days. Michal worked with me on redesigns and was great about offering his thoughts on certain aspects of the site. Not to mention he delivered on time. You'd think working with someone 7 hours ahead would prove difficult but I emailed him files, uploaded videos to my site and he called me often to discuss ideas.

The most difficult thing was to create a look and feel which complimented all areas of my site. Ms. Almanas's work is very similar from one project to the next and Caleb only features one photographic project at this time. I however wanted to feature all my current projects as well as one section showcasing my assignments from magazines and contract work. I feel the overall design is clean and simple enough showcasing the work without taking away from it.

So please check out the new site at sarahsudhoff.com. Comments are welcome. You can see other designs by Michal at plot29.com

Raising Funds

2008-09-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

I will be selling framed and unframed work to benefit my solo show happening in March. I will be selling work on my blog as well as participating in the Houston Center for Photography's Annual Print Sale November 1 along with East Austin Studio Tour November 22 and 23.

First up are three photographs from my Sorority Rush series. The image was taken from a recent show in Seattle at PCNW. Each photograph is printed at 20x24 and framed with a two inch white image border all the way around, no matte is used. The frames are custom jobs framed with plexi for safer transport. Each print is an edition of 10 for that size and sells for $700 plus shipping. Local pickup in Austin is welcome and I can deliver to Houston or San Antonio.

From left to right: Open House, Senior Portrait, First Period

If you are interested in these pieces please contact me directly. My email is info@sarahsudhoff.com

Safe

2008-09-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

Lots of people have called and emailed today. All my family is thankfully safe. I've contacted several friends in Houston and along the coast and it seems everyone is well enough. We are still waiting to hear from friends in Nacogdoches where I was teaching last year. While not on the coast the eye of the storm did past over.

I waited up last night until the hurricane made landfall. My mom works for the city of Houston and was activated–meaning she was up all night working at the emergency services center for Houston. I heard from her this morning at 8:30am. She was safe and said they had been busy all night and that there were some deaths reported. Not much has made the news other than flooding and power outages.

For images and video go to msn for coverage from Ike.

I'm hoping to volunteer either here in Austin, Houston or Galveston once they let people back in. It could have been so much worse than it was. I am so thankful the storm surge they predicted didn't happen nor did the winds reach over a category 2 hurricane.

Thanks so much for everyone's concerns.

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Like so many others I was on the road yesterday trying to make it back from Houston to Austin before the hurricane hit. Several gas stations had run out of unleaded regular and prices were way up. It was stop and go traffic for most of the way. I can't imagine what the roads look like today with Ike projected to make landfall tonight.

My father, grandfather and one brother live in Corpus. They boarded up their homes and are sitting tight. Luckily the hurricane changed course and will be north of there. My friend John evacuated Rockport on Wednesday. He decided to store several pieces of art work from the Rockport Center for the Arts at his home a mile away from the shore since the art center is located right on the water. My mother and her husband live just north of Houston. Last I heard they were staying put. Other friends were given mandatory evacuation from Galveston and surrounding areas.

On the road I saw several lines of ambulances headed in the opposite direction as well as trucks filled with blankets for evacuees at shelters all around Texas. I'm glad to be situated further inland and hope where ever Ike lands and how ever strong the storm is most if not all residents are gone.

Austin is projected to receive high winds and I'll be keeping an eye out for tornado's.

Cornelia Hediger at KlompChing Gallery

2008-09-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

As if I didn't hate missing art openings in New York, I'm totally depressed I can't be at Cornelia Hediger's opening tomorrow night, September 10 at KlompChing Gallery in Dumbo. My friend Darren Ching and his wife Debra opened the gallery less than a year ago and thus far they have picked some amazing photographers to debut with. I first came across Cornelia's photographs a few years ago in a catalog from the Center for Photography at Woodstock. I agree many photographers have used this technique of piecing multiple images together employing the grid to create a larger more complete whole however few if any photograph themselves. In addition Hediger infuses her photographs with an aspect of performance further drawing me in to this other world of hers and contemplating my Doppilganger.

KLOMPCHING GALLERY is pleased to announce the exhibition Doppelgänger, by the Swiss artist Cornelia Hediger. There will be a reception for the artist on September 10, from 6pm to 8pm. This is the artist’s solo gallery debut at the gallery and in New York City.

In this richly colorful series, the persona of the artist is the central figure, performing a psychological struggle with her doppelgänger — a fictional ghostly double of a living person, widely understood as sinister and a harbinger of bad luck. These striking images will amuse, challenge, intrigue and captivate the viewer.

Each image is constructed from six to nine photographs, employing a device which is increasingly prevalent in contemporary photography — that of the tableau-vivant, in which a pictorial narrative is carefully choreographed into a single image. Through the presentation of different characters, Hediger explores notions of the uncanny, the conscious / unconscious and moral ambiguity — perceptively juxtaposed with a fine-drawn level of dry humor.

Hediger’s photo assemblages present stories that are also fascinating for their obliqueness, enabling the viewer to invest some of their own narrative interpretations. Her storytelling demonstrates more than a hint of literary and psychological theory, and it is this that makes her photographs all the more compelling. These internalised depictions of illusory spaces and scenarios oblige us to draw comparisons to the work of Claude Cahun, Francesca Woodman and even Hans Bellmer.

12 x 2

2008-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

My partner Gary Schott and I recently started a new collaborative project together called 12 x 2. Each month we select one word taken from 12 words in total and create a project based on our interpretation of that word. We each selected words we liked or thought might produce interesting results.

I wouldn't say that the ultimate goal is to make masterpieces, but more of a fun creative exercise as a break between our professional pursuits.

We will be documenting and posting each month’s response at the end of the month.

August- sequential
September- ephemeral

Openings and New Project

2008-09-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

It seems this week/weekend everyone is having an opening.

Thursday:
Last night Counter-Photography–Japan's Artists Today opened at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in San Antonio. I was lucky enough to be in the area this week and was able to see a preview of the show. I fell in love with two artist's work–Hiroko Inoue's “Absence” and Tomoko Yoneda's, “topological analogy”.

Hiroko Inoue took a collection of photographs of the outside world as viewed through the windows from the inside of mental institutions. Most of the works are of iron-barred windows. She collected the images as she traveled and talked to the staff and patients of each mental institution she visited. She explained the reason for taking the photographs and persuaded them to give her permission. Her aim is not to create the typical visual world of people who live in confinement due to their sicknesses. Rather, she recomposes the scene viewed from the window – normally seen by the patients -- through her own eyes. Therefore, after the process of printing the images directly on cloths, the windows which appear on light-boxes, are not the windows viewed by the Other but are those viewed with her own eyes. Her work is similar to having a dialogue with the other’s visual world, but also contains the artist’s memory and physical nature.

Tomoko Yoneda takes photographs of the wallpaper of a room after the resident has moved out. In the empty room, she retraces the past time of the former resident. The wallpaper acts as the phase of the border in order to be led to retrace the time. Nothing specific about the former resident can actually be perceived from her photographs, such as the documentation on his/her life in the room, physical existence and thoughts. In other words, she excludes the substantial elements normally found in a person. What is important for the artist is the fact that a certain period of time had accumulated in the space. Her work tells the story that the accumulations of time had steadily been stored in different rooms, and that a room exists in parallel with other rooms, and all in a similar fashion. The viewers are led to realize that what they feel from her work is the essence of existences.

The show runs through October 19, 2008 so make sure to make your way there.

Friday:
Opening tonight in Houston is Soft Head at Peel Gallery including the work of Sharon Engelstein, my partner Gary Schott and other's. Reception is from 6-9pm.

And if you are in New York don't forget about Alicia Ross's first solo show at Black and White Gallery.

Saturday:
And back to Texas for a must see show opening Saturday is Sean Perry's show Fairgrounds at Stephen Clark Gallery in Austin. Sean like myself splits his time between New York and Austin. I never had the pleasure of meeting Sean in Austin but we met last summer in New York outside Jen Beckmen Gallery. As a gallery goer if you are tired of seeing digitally manipulated prints, printed on inkjet paper, then this is the show for you. Sean still shoots and prints old school as we like to sometimes call it. I myself prefer to shoot film. There is something so magical about composing an image, working with polaroids and carefully managing how many shots you take. And then seeing the film developed and making the first print. I hate to miss this opening and see Sean. Fairgrounds runs through October 8, 2009.

New Project:
While all this is happening I will be working on a new photographic project in Texas. I am attending the annual Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation camp with my youngest brother David who has NF 1. I hope to begin a new medical series on children and young adults afflicted by this life long disease and raise awareness through the project as well as feature the most amazing people you might ever meet. If you are unfamiliar with NF please follow the link or simply google the name. My brother like many NF sufferers undergoes yearly surgeries to remove tumors which increase in size and grow at the end of his nerves. David was born with hundreds of tumors and as he grows certain tumors have rapid growth and interfere with walking and daily activities. These tumors need to be removed and rehabilitation is sometimes needed. It is a life-long challenge. Together with the help of my brother, Cindy Hahn president of the Texas NF Foundation and others I hope to make a beautiful photographic series and book honoring everyone with NF and their families.

New Device

2008-08-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to showcase my newest medical device. The lights turn on and all the parts move. I'm hoping to collaborate with my partner, Gary Schott who is a metalsmith to create new attachments and re-purpose the piece. I found the item on craigslist and got it for a bargain today. For my show in March I proposed expanding on my Repository series as well as creating a new series of myself interacting with medical devices. I have a Swedish stomach pump, one of my Christmas gifts last year from Gary, and now this microwave diathermy piece to get me started.

I'll be sure to post images as I begin to work on them. If you happen to come across any interesting medical devices on craigslist or ebay send me an email. I'm always on the hunt for something to add to my collection.

2008-08-28T13:23:00.001-07:00

I know I'm announcing this a week early but I know how many art happenings go on during any given night in New York City. My good friend Alicia Ross is having her first solo show, Sacred-Profane next Friday, September 5, 2008 at Black and White Gallery's Chelsea location.

I wish I could be there to see Alicia's new large scale pieces which take months to complete. So make sure to stop in and see this amazing show!

Referencing the title of Titian's 16th century painting Sacred and Profane Love, Ross investigates the wide range of media to provide a contemporary reinterpretation of proper and obscene, respectable and shameful. The work, in this contemporary context, mingles teasing innocence with erotic voracity, challenges the irony of representation of the female form with standard moral differences between sanctified love and fantastical desire.

The series of Samplers and Motherboards, Love Swing sculpture and Rockwell’s a Surrealist mixed media installation originate from images from the internet, religious texts and domestic objects – all loaded with pornographic innuendos – which Ross works and reworks using handicraft techniques, transforming them while retaining a sense of their original meaning and physical form. An interesting tension arises when pornography is integrated with handicraft, blurring distinctions between the sacred and the profane for it pokes fun at the very idea of leeway or discrepancy, and inevitably engages the viewer’s critical eye.

In the Ishihara Test Series videos, similarly-sourced imaging is fitted into the template for testing color deficiencies. Ross is savvy about her use of this scientific test for the work, aware that men are considerably more prone to colorblindness than women. Hence, Ishihara becomes an ideal mechanism with which to confound the male gaze. It becomes nearly impossible to possess that which you cannot see. Sacred_Profane draws our attention to the whimsical, the absurd as much as the tragic and to the morally significant.

Colleen Plumb on 20x200

2008-08-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to report that Colleen Plumb, an artist I included in my "Super Safe" feature, will have two prints for sale on 20x200 TODAY. If you aren't familiar with this process or website please check it out. Essentially the staff at 20x200 selects photographers and other 2D artists and sells their work online at very affordable prices. The first edition of 200 for an 8.5 x 11 print sells for $20. These typically sell out quick so when Colleen's work hits today be sure to be ready to buy 1, 2 or more. I'll be shooting in a hospital today so I don't think I can benefit from the sale but maybe there is a trade in the near future, wink wink.

Transcendental Smoothie Opening Tonight

2008-08-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

My friends Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand have yet another opening this evening at Lawndale Art Center in Houston, Texas titled Transcendental Smoothie. They are giving an artist talk at 6:30 so be sure not to miss it. Mary and Stephan who reside in Texas have had a great run lately exhibiting in Texas most recently at the Houston Center for Photography and Big Medium Gallery in Austin, nationally as well as participating in several international video festivals including:

Cologne OFF Film Festival, Cologne, Germany
Wand 5 e.V. 21. Stuttgarter Filmwinter, Stuttgart, Germany
One Minute Film & Video Festival Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
Videoholica 08 Video Biennal, Sity Gallery, Varna, Bulgaria

Their show at Lawndale runs August 22 – September 27, 2008 with an opening reception tonight, Friday, August 22, 2008, 6:30-8:30 PM

Transcendental Smoothie is a video installation by the collaborative husband and wife team of Magsamen + Hillerbrand. Through a playful and unexpected use of materials and camera viewpoints, Magsamen + Hillerbrand transform the John M. O'Quinn Gallery into a kaleidoscope world of cookie dough, vultures and monumental peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that bring questions and ideas of perception, identity, family and everyday pressures. “Transcendental” refers to Kant’s theory that our experience of things is about how they appear to us, but not about those things as they are in and of themselves. “Smoothie” refers to our use of food and everyday objects and the blending of many items to make something delicious.

Fear of Flying

2008-08-21T20:46:00.001-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of completing my first photo shoot for Tribeza magazine. I was assigned to photograph two local Austin artists. One at his Lock-Away studio down south and the other outside or rather on the Federal building in downtown. I found a few moments to capture aerial dancer and choreographer Laura Cannon from Blue Lapis Light as she took time to enjoy being suspended. I must admit I previously thought the shoot would be very challenging yet Sally Jacques the artistic director, Corey Fields the rigger and Laura were amazing to work with and I can't complain about the view. It was like my own private performance held at sunset. Although I am deathly afraid of heights I'm tempted to take a workshop and see what happens.

Ebay Calling

2008-08-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

So today I was catching up on my friend Amy Stein's blog and discovered her latest post titled "I am a Secondary Market".

Amani Olu just let me know that one of my prints is up for sale on eBay. This is the first time my work has hit the secondary market and while it's only eBay, it's still a minor landmark in my career.

The print, Peri, Route 64, Kentucky from my Stranded series, was originally available for sale as part of Humble Arts Foundation's Limited Edition Print sale. The original price of the print was $375. Also notice the seller says Peri has never been "framed or displayed" which basically means the person never enjoyed it. Too funny.

I don't see this as an endorsement of my work so much as a strong endorsement of the quality of work and the amazing deals available through Humble's Limited Edition program. Unless you like living with regret you should head over to the Humble site now and pick up a print or three.

Of course I was curious and looked myself up on Ebay. Much to my disappointment I was not listed, at least not yet. I know Mrs. Stein owns one of my photographs also from Humble's Limited Edition Prints. If in the future Amy ever decides to sell my work on Ebay, maybe she'll split the proceeds with me.

Work In Progress

2008-08-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share some recent work-in-progress. It seems I never have enough time to work on my projects. I know I need to just make more time to do this. Knowing a have a solo show next year is both exciting and frightening. There is so much to plan for: making new work; scanning and printing it; figuring out a layout in the space for your work; framing and installing all the pieces as well as notifying the public about the event. It could easily be a full-time job. If I only had that much time to dedicate to it or had a staff to help. One day.

These two images are from a new series titled Finding Antonia. In this image I photographed myself in front of my abuela's grave in Texas. The whole premise is still being worked out as well as what images will make up this developing body of work. I welcome any comments.

Review: Let's Talk About Sex

2008-08-08T08:51:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday Erotica opened at Gallery Lombardi here in Austin and was reviwed already by the Austinist. It felt great to have six pieces in the show. Four photographs inside and two videos projected outside. It was interesting watching people stop and view my figure on the big screen examining myself and bathing in the morgue sink. Friends always ask if people recognize me at these events.....often no.

The videos which were projected outside will be displayed on a monitor inside. The show runs through August 30 so stop on by.

Parsons Grads

2008-08-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm always hearing about Yale photo grads and SVA photo grads and we Parsons grads seem to have been forgotten. However I'm happy to report that several of us who graduated in 2006 from the Parsons MFA Photography department have recently been written about, interviewed, invited to residencies and given our first solo shows.

Just this week Melissa Fleming and Brigitte Lustenberger sent me recent interviews. Melissa had an interview in Double Exposure. Melissa was also selected for PhotoEspana this last year.

Brigitte had a solo show at Le Maillon/Chambre à Part in Strasbourg and her interview along with installation views can be seen on YouTube. Her work was also published in Purpose Magazine, an online publication, last fall.

The study of the gaze, the interplay between absence and presence in a photographic image, and the fact that the reading of a photograph is most often triggered by a collective memory are the main issues in my work.

I know more of us from my graduating class have been busy–so send me your news and links to new work.

Super Safe #1

2008-07-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

I wanted to introduce you to the work of two photographers whose work explores our relationships with the natural world and successfully awakens us out of this repetitive cycle of super safe work I keep seeing everywhere. I was fortunate to briefly meet Colleen Plumb and Melissa Weiss Steele at Review Santa Fe this past year.

Melissa's project titled Earthen Bodies is a series of trans-formative self-portraits allowing her to find, understand and regain herself again following the death of her husband from cancer.

I take most of the photos with the camera at arms length. I use a simple digital camera- because it is not about the camera, as much as the process and the energy and the ritual of it. Thinking about the perfect lighting would constrict the flow. The other amazing thing is the symmetry of some of the images. I don't see well without my glasses. So there I am, naked, usually not terribly warm, shooting away furiously. Some of the photos have proportions and lines that are almost unbelievable. That is the mystery and magic and gift of it all.

Collen's series Urban Nature explores the connection and in some cases disconnect between ourselves and the natural world around us. Through carefully composed images of animals or the visual representation of them I begin to wonder exactly what impact we are having on their world and how will this, in the end impact ours.

My work explores simulation, consumption, destruction, and reconstruction. It addresses the essence of our connection, as well as our fragmentation from the natural. The series looks at points of intersection with wild in the human-made world—our coexistence—and explores notions of endurance and the reality of loss.

Thank you to these two women who shared their work with me.

If you have a body of work or an on going project which is "not super safe" and you'd like to share please email submissions to info@sarahsudhoff.com. Please type Super Safe in the subject line. All mediums accepted.

On the Road Again

2008-07-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

I am traveling all this week for work. I just finished a food shoot for Texas Monthly Magazine in San Antonio for their September issue. Tomorrow I'm headed to Houston to teach at the Houston Center for Photography. Thursday I'm giving a short artist talk on my work at the Lawndale Art Center. Friday I'm moving in to a new house and Saturday I have an opening at Gallery Lombardi back here in Austin.

Also on the exhibition front....I was awarded Honorable Mention by juror Rod Slemmons at the Photographic Center Northwest's 13th annual juried exhibition Please Ring Bell. And I have to mention because this never happens for me–my photos are front and center! Typically I'm in the hallway or back corner. I'm not sure if its due to the subject matter of some of my work however its a real treat to see my work prominently displayed. Thanks Ann.

Other winners include:

1st Sally Ketcham
2nd Victoria Veenstra
3rd Peter Prusinowski

Honorable Mentions
Rachel Papo
Evan Baden
Marie Sauvaitre

End Game

2008-07-26T09:34:00.001-07:00

While in Houston to teach at HCP, I made time to see the new show at the Museum of Fine Arts "End Game". It was great to see three of my favorite artists together in one show– Damien Hirst, Sam Taylor-Wood and Marc Quin. Sam Taylor-Wood's video piece A Little Death which I had seen several years before at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston was running on a large flat screen. I've enjoyed the piece every time I've had the opportunity to see it. For some it might not be the sort of thing you watch over and over–a rabbit as it disinegrates and bleeds out over a nine week period. If you haven't had the opportunity to see the short video its worth a look, if you like that sort of thing.

Sam Taylor-Wood also has a show which opens Friday August 1 at the Contemporary Arts Museum right across the street from the MFA-H. I would love to attend the opening however I will be back in Austin. I wondered though do artists like Sam Taylor-Wood, Damien Hirst and Marc Quin attend their openings anymore? When does attendance stop or slow. When you've become an international success and name I wonder? If I knew she would be there I would make sure to attend the opening or preview party.

Color Correction

2008-07-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday a photograph of mine ran in the New York Times Magazine. I was surprised when I flipped to the page to see the image had been color corrected and had lost its florescent green hue. I wonder if this was an intentional correction or a unknowing mistake. Its so hard to know exactly how an image is suppose to look. We have so many versions available to us: the online version; the in print version; and then the physical photograph itself. Sometimes the reproduction of an image can vary in color, saturation and contrast drastically altering the interpretation of the photograph. While most people probably didn't look at my image of the empty gynecological exam room and think WOW that's the wrong color I did. I doubt I would have had such a strong reaction to the color correction if the photograph was just a stock image of mine. However since the image is part of a larger project about cancer, women's illnesses and the relationship we have to specific medical spaces, for me the color shift alters the original intention of the piece.

So how do I prevent this from happening in the future. Do I need to send a color proof? Should I send an email stating the image is suppose to be a little green? Or does the publication have the "right" to alter the image or the color to best suit their needs? I know when I've worked in the past as a photo editor we were very careful not to change anything about the original image. Rather than crop an image to fit a layout we might build the layout around the image or find an image that worked better. I also had to color correct and remove dust and scratches from images. This makes me wonder–Did I ever accidentally change the meaning of someones image. I never heard any complaints from when I worked at Time and Texas Monthly but does that mean it never happened?

The Big Show

2008-07-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Please join me this Friday, July 11 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Lawndale Art Center in Houston, Texas for their annual "Big Show". Out of 407 artists 60 were chosen. The juried show required that you drop off ready-to-hang work at the art center to be judged and possibly included in the exhibition. I have three photographs from my Repository series on view–Sale, Exploratory Surgery and Clean 1.

2008 Exhibiting artists include:

John Adelman, Isela Aguirre, Dran Alessi, Ron Arena, Steven Baptiste, Johann J. Boudreaux, James Burns, Joyce Cail, Christopher Cascio, Douglas Cason, Peter Chok, Christopher Comperry, Shannon Crider, Frederique de Montblanc, Jeremy DePrez, Ben Tecumseh DeSoto, Leah DeVun, Daniel Fabian, Garland Fielder, Haden Garrett, Raul Gonzalez, Tracy Jayne Goosen, David Hardaker, Dan Havel, Daniel Heimbinder, April Hernandez, L. A. Holloman, Renate Jones, Erin Joyce, daniel-kayne, Sara Kellner, Hugh Dodd McDonnold, Linda Moore, Kia Neill, Alex Nguyen, Pam R Olson, Gay Paratore, Ryan Perry, Ole Petersen, Brian Piana, John Paul Plauché, Forrest Prince, Anne J. Regan, Allan Rodewald, Rodrigo Romero Roit, John Runnels, Cameron Sands, Louise Schlachter, Carol Ellen Scott, Gregory Scott, Robert Sennhauser, Herbert Shapiro, John Slaby, Emily Sloan, Gabriella O. Solis, Sarah Sudhoff, Kamila Szczesna, Patrick Winkler, Henry Yau, Paul Zeigler

If you happen to be on the west coast don't forget the Photographic Center Northwest's opening whcih also opens this Friday in Seattle. I also have three pieces in this exhibition but from my Sorority series. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend this opening but I'm looking forward to finding out who wins.

Two for Two

2008-07-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

I think I can speak for most photographers and artists....that our life seems to be an uphill battle. First you have to think of an idea. Second you have to figure when and where to produce this idea or image in my case. Third you have to find the resources to take action and quite possibly get time off from work or other responsibilities. Fourth the work must be successfully shot followed by precise editing. Fifth, if you're still counting, is printing the work or uploading it to a website. Sixth getting the courage to share the new work which by this time seems old to you and has already taken up so much or your time, exhausted your funds and so forth. It seems at times the road leads no where with no end in sight. And there are days like today for me and hopefully other photographers and artists that the road, the labor intensive process of being a creative soul pays off. Not that the experience of producing work isn't fulfilling enough however gaining new recognition or recouping some of your cost is always a sought after moment.

Today I was greeted with two wonderful emails. First was from a photo editor at the New York Time Magazine who is planning to run an image of mine for an upcoming issue. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. It was just last week that I attended a lecture by Mary Virginia Swanson at HCP in Houston in which she discussed artists licensing their images for editorial purposes and the pros and cons of this decision. I had always wondered if my Repository series would find a home editorially since my other main series Sorority Rush had. I'm not sure how the NYT came across my work. Maybe it was from when I sent them my portfolios over a year ago or it might have had something to do with my second email today which was from Women in Photography. My Repository series was selected by WIP for an upcoming online solo exhibition yet I had no idea it would launch today. Needless to say it was a great surprise to see my work featured on their site. I'm not sure if one email had anything to do with the other one but somehow for one brief moment today the stars aligned for me.

So please check out the WIP online show. It is my first solo show which is very exciting. And be sure to keep an eye out for my image in the New York Times Magazine!

Super Safe

2008-06-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

While attending Review Santa Fe I learned of a new photo blog called Flakphoto. While am happy more work from my fellow peers is being featured including 55 participants from the review overall the work on the site seems to be 'Super Safe'. I recently read photographer Cara Phillip's blog, Ground Glass which mentioned she had not been invited to Review Santa Fe this year. If you are a fan of her work you'd ask the same as me, why the hell not. Her work is gorgeous and perverse making it all the more memorable. I feel there are not enough outlets for photographers and artists like myself making work which is not the norm. In her blog, Cara mentions her own work in relation to mine and the similarities in our arduous travels as photographers pushing the envelope and making work not easily digested by the general public.

For this reason I've decided to add a new feature to my blog called 'Super Safe' which will highlight artists whose work is not super safe and strives to share something new and worthwhile with the public. As my new friend Katy Almanas says...."Beautifully Subversive is where its at."

Please send small jpgs or links to work to info@sarahsudhoff.com

Erotica

2008-06-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

I recently entered Gallery Lomabrdi's call for Erotic photography with self-portraits from my Repository series including two videos. My intention with the work was never to be erotic although posing nude seems to come more easily for me than other women. I wouldn't say I am 100% comfortable with the way I look...why do you think I'm partially concealed in the sink however I am comfortable with certain aspects of my figure.

I'm not sure how this will affect the read of my self-portraits if any. Most people associate the images with illness and cancer however a few have pointed out the "erotic" undertones suggested in some of the photographs and videos. I won't deny that its there or say that I was wholly unaware of this aspect when I photographed and filmed myself. It is definitely a direction I have thought of going as a continue the project and/or create a new series of self-portraits.

I also proposed doing a live performance at Gallery Lombardi opening night. I have never performed live although have suggested it for several exhibitions. I'm a bit nervous yet I think it will be truly exciting to perform in front of an audience for the first time. Hey I could totally bomb at it. So if you are around the Austin area come check out the opening in August. Once I have more details on the performance I'll post them.

Boonville

2008-06-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of Kody Beasock, age 12 from Boonville, New York. Timothy Briner my friend and fellow photographer traversed the country capturing the spirit of the places and of the people he encountered in each of the Boonvilles he resided in. Tim's third stop on his journey was Boonville, New York where he stayed with the Beasock family.

I have been traveling every week this last month and so have fallen behind in my blog readings. Today I read Tim's blog and found out he was indeed back home and read of Kody's death. The kind words written by Tim as well as the comments posted on the blog by his audience are worth the time to read.

As a photographer I feel I have a certain inherent duty to chose my subjects carefully and when doing so know the responsibility as an image maker not only to myself and the audience but also to the subject–to represent the truth, to share a secret and revel something worthwhile that might have gone unnoticed if I hadn't otherwise taken an interest in it. I feel this is one of the many gifts Tim has given to us, to the Beasock family and to the photographic community. When I was working at Time magazine I thought that the most interesting photo stories came from abroad yet Tim's series shed's light on stories right here in our own backyards–connecting us to people we might have never met and reminding us all of our impact on those around us.

Photographic Center Northwest

2008-06-11T20:10:00.001-07:00

I am pleased to announce images from my Sorority Rush series were accepted in to this years Photography Center Northwest's annual juried show. Rod Slemmons from the Museum of Contemporary Photography was this years juror. The show opens July 11, 8:45-10:00pm and runs through August 28, 2008. If you are in the Seattle area please stop by. All works are for sale.

Other artists include:

1. Aragona, Marisa, CA (BCD)
2. Baden, Evan, MN (ABD)
3. Bayles, David, OR (DEJ)
4. Breen, Andrew, IL (ABC)
5. Bross, Suzette, IL (ABC)
6. Browder, Chase, TX (AFG)
7. Burk, Jeff, IL (ABC)
8. Bush, Diane, NV (ACD)
9. Conley, Beverly, AR (BHJ)
10. Cox, Andy, WA (BFG)
11. Dickerson, Nell, TN (ABD)
12. Hagen, Erik, NY (BDE)
13. Heileson, Thom, WA (ABC)
14. Holmes, Joseph, NY (ABG)
15. Ketcham, Sally, WA (EFG)
16. Krieg, Carolyn, WA (BCD)
17. Miranda, Paolo, CA (ABD)
18. Papo, Rachel, NY (ACD)
19. Phillips, Russell, IL (AHJ)
20. Prusinowski, Peter, PA (ABG)
21. Sauvaitre, Marie, NY (CEF)
22. Small, Ellen, NY (FGI)
23. Sudhoff, Sarah, TX (FGJ)
24. Veenstra, Victoria, MI (ACE)
25. Vionnet, Corinne, VD, Switzerland (CEF)

Santa Fe

2008-06-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well I survived another portfolio review session. I think I came away with the same conclusions about my work as I did after the Fotofest reviews in March: I need to photograph MORE. I was so impressed and somewhat jealous of several of the projects I saw in Santa Fe. The quality of work as a whole surpassed that of the photographs I saw during my session at Fotofest. Even more important than the feedback I got on my work were the relationships I made with photo editors, gallery and museum directors as well as photographers from all across the country. It might sound so silly however it truly is inspiring to meet the photographer behind the photographs. I too seemed to have my own fan base out there. I met several people who recognized my work when I handed them a card featuring Sale–the floral vending machine image.

I find it funny that during these type of events people tend to form little groups. I'm not sure exactly how or why certain photographers group together. Is it a common theme among the works? Is it a shared background or city? I happened to be one of the few participants not from New York. Although I still think of Brooklyn as home I was happy to be representing Texas. I found myself surrounded by several wonderful female photographers who gladly shared their work and critiqued my own. And of course there were a few male photographers who braved to look at my Repository project. One photographer named John mentioned he'd seen my work on Center's site and had grown up in a family of gynecologists. It was quite wonderful talking with a man about the work and him knowing more than me in some cases about the subject matter and terminology.

It was great running in to familiar faces such as Mary Virgina Swanson, Ann Pallesen Darren Ching and Debra Klomp Ching, Michael Mazzeo, Carrie Villines and Rachel Dunville. I also had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Small who'd I'd exhibited with and Jennifer Boomer whose work has been introduced to me by photographer Timothy Briner. This little world of ours seems to get smaller by the minute.

While I didn't have the opportunity to personally meet all 100 photographers and see their work at this years reviews I met several passionate photographers who I seemed to gravitate towards. I would say the person whose work was most closely related to my own was that of Katie Almanas. She too makes work which is extremely personal to her involving a medical theme. Yet her take is quite unexpected, beautifully composed and at times quirky. Katie's work was actually introduced to me at the review by photographer Rebecca Sitller Schrock who like Katie uses food as one of her subjects. Although looking at Rebecca's images on the website is nothing compared to seeing her large scale color photographs which are really exquisite. I do hope she wants to trade one day, hint hint!

I can't leave the boys out......I did see several great projects by male photographers such as Jason DeMarte, Eric Percher, Colin Blakely, and Ben Handzo.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their work with me and who were kind enough to look at and review my work. If nothing else happens which I really do hope something BIG comes from my meetings, I have one or two new projects in mind as well as some idea of how to continue current works. Now all I need is to find funding!

Women in Photography

2008-06-03T10:00:00.001-07:00

Please welcome, Women in Photography–a new site dedicated not only to photography but women in photography. The organization was started by two female photographers, Amy Elkins and Cara Phillips. While I haven't had the pleasure of meeting them face to face I know their photographic work and have been included in a few group shows with them put on by Humble Arts Foundation.

Their first artist is Elinor Carucci who I have admired and loved her work after first seeing her book Closer a few years ago. The work is personal and Elinor includes herself in many of the photographs. I was immediteyl drawn to the series for this very reason. I was lucky enough to have my work chosen for an upcoming debut on the WIP site. Check back regularly to see the work, support these artists and share their work with others.

I'm headed to Santa Fe tomorrow to participate in the Santa Fe portfolio reviews. I had applied last year but did not get in. I'm excited to be attending this year and hoping to make great contacts and see old friends in the field. I'll be posting from the floor so check back in later this week.

Web Desinger Needed

2008-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'm searching for a creative and honest web designer to create and build a new website for me. I am able to pay a minimum fee however would prefer to trade photographs. If anyone is interested please contact me at info@sarahsudhoff.com

Limited Edition Prints

2008-05-05T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have decided to sell through my blog a limited edition of prints from my Organic series. I began this series in 2002 while living in New York City. This series marks my transition from working and thinking as a journalist photographer to creating a more conceptual body of work. Each images includes two photographs. The first part I used slide film and photographed in and around my Brooklyn neighborhood capturing images of pine needles, berries and trees. The images of organic matter were then projected on to the female form. Two models including myself became the canvas for this series.

I am selling four images from this series at a cost to you of $250 per image plus $10 shipping. Each image is printed in the darkroom on luster paper at 16 x 20 inches. Each print will be signed and numbered. For your convenience there is a paypal buy it now button in the well on the left hand side of the page. If you prefer to pay by check please contact me directly at info@sarahsudhoff.com. Please specify in your paypal order and email which image you are interested in. I have the following quantities available:

Pine 8
Berry 9
Web 3
Limb 4

If you would like a larger version emailed to you please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you for your support and I look forward to sharing this work with you.

End of the semester

2008-05-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

Its the last week of school here at Stephen F. Austin. Myself and my students are more than ready for summer break. I'm leaving for a quick vacation and then back on the job hunt. While I applied for several teaching positions and was a finalist at the University of Houston, I am nevertheless unemployed. However, this is not unfamiliar territory. I worked as a freelancer for several years in New York. I was not always sure where the next paycheck was coming from or if there was even one. I am in the mindset to work on my own art however I don't have the financial means to do so yet the list of ideas keeps growing.

If anyone wants to share their winning lottery ticket with me I'd be most grateful.

Even so the semester ended on a high note. My first student exhibition opened without too many snags and was a huge success. Thanks to Gallery Director Christian Cutler for donating the posters and to Professor Gary Schott for assisting us with installing 32 photographs in a most challenging environment.

Installation Shots

2008-04-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

I finally made time to do a few installation shots of the New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch exhibition. If you haven't made it out, the show is up through May 11, 2008. The show then travels to four more spaces: Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, Oct 4-Dec 28, 2008; The Grace Museum, Abilene, Jan 24-Apr 19, 2009; DiverseWorks, Houston, May 1-Jun 12, 2009; The Art Gallery at UNT-Denton: pending Fall 2009.

I plan to attend each opening so I hope to see you there!

Perfect Strangers

2008-04-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Just this week I received two separate emails from perfect strangers who after seeing my work in the New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch exhibition at the Austin Museum of Art felt compelled to write me. I have excluded their names and personal info yet included short statements from their emails.

Thank you for your kind, encouraging and honest responses to the photographs.

"Today I spent my afternoon at the Austin Museum of Art soaking in all that the current "20 to watch" exhibit has to offer. The final works that I saw were your photographs, and I was so moved upon seeing them that my legs felt weak and I spent the entire bus ride home blinking back tears. I came home and looked up your name on the internet, found your site, found your blog. I am relatively new to Austin and have seen few pieces of art (music, plays, and dances included) that have shaken me to the core like I was this afternoon at the museum. Thank you."

"I just visited "20 to Watch" at AMOA. I would like to share with you my response to your work. Of all the work in the exhibit, I made the strongest connection with yours and Baseera Khan's paintings. I am a quiet, introverted, thoughtful man. I read the information about your work, as well as seeing what you had to say in the video, so I understand what the conscious, or intentional, theme in your work would be.

However, I was drawn by the intimacy of the photos. You appear to share both your body and your emotional state so openly and intimately, showing great trust and courage in a vulnerable position. That's the message I came away with. I saw a beautiful young woman, frightened and saddened by her situation, choosing to honor and take care of herself and others by sharing her experience with beauty, dignity, and kindness. Anyway, I feel inspired, so thank you for sharing."

Student Show

2008-04-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Please join me this Friday April 18, 2008 at the Yoga Studio Gallery in downtown Nacogdoches from 6-8pm for the opening of Decisive Moments–my advanced photography classes exhibition.

This semester I created a topic specific course for my advanced photography students at Stephen F. Austin State University. I explored three specific themes: Self-Portraiture, Domesticity and Performance and the overlap that can occur between them. I introduced more contemporary artists such as Elina Brotherus, Nikki S. Lee, Trish Morrissey, Jen Davis, Elinor Carruci, Todd Hido, Amy Stein and others. I challenged my students to create one body of work for the semester incorporating one or all of these themes. It was my intention to have my students think how their images work in a series and inform one another rather than make single isolated works.

If you are in the East Texas area please stop by. The show runs through April 24.

Grant/Funding Needed

2008-04-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of looking for grants for artists and/or photographers in order to continue my Repository series. I've recently applied for several artist-in-residence programs allowing me time to focus on this specific project. In addition, I am in the process of extending my photographic exploration into other medical conditions which involve, alter or compromise the female reproductive organs.

If you come across any art, science, medical or humanities grants you think are appropriate, please send them my way.

Opening and Recent Review

2008-04-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Kinsey's annual juried art show opens this Friday April 11 from 5-7:30. The show runs April 11-July 25. If you happen to be near Bloomington, Indiana please check out all the work on view.

Also just out in this week's Austin Chronicle is a review of the recent New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch exhibition. Yours truly is featured. So please check it out.

Art Alliance

2008-04-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

My advanced photography student, Angela Duncan received second place for photograph No. 6 from her series titled, Inside in the annual Stephen F. Austin State University Art Alliance student contest. The show was curated and judged by artist Roger Shimomura.

I created a topic specific course this Spring semester covering Domesticity, Self-Portraiture and Performance. Angela investigates through photography her evolving relationship with her husband while successfully incorporating all three themes in to her new and challending body of work.

The show runs April 7-12, 2008 located in the Art Department Front and Back Galleries.

Clean 2 Video Screening Museum of Fine Arts Houston

2008-04-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Please join me this coming Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston at 7pm in the Brown Auditorium for "Imagining China" and "Transformations". My performance video, Clean 2,(2006) will be viewed in conjunction with Fotofest and the Southwest Alternate Media Group.

I created the video during my last months of graduate school. I had access to a morgue in Texas and did a series of self-portraits as well as two performances in the space. For me the act of bathing or cleansing one's self alludes to a metaphorical rebirth, a new beginning. The video was made exactly two years after I had first been diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 26.

WINNERS

ADULT - Transformation
Basic Wire and Cable - by Chuck Ivy
Clean 2 - by Sarah Sudhoff
Environmental Justive in the USA - by Tammy Cromer-Campbell
The Fall - by Adam Cruces
Lover of the Lord - by Jack Otis Moore
Mitosis Remix - by I-AoI
Reveal - by Travis Reed

ADULT - Imagining China
Chinaaah! - by Jeanie Low and Stephanie Saint Sanchez
China Hot: Factory 798 - by Quin Matthews

YOUTH - Transformation
Andrea and Ann Present Farggeano - by Andrea Wistuba & Ann Henson
The Buggie - by Katy Bogar, Sophie Creede & Caroline Galliano
The Green Transforming Blob - by Rick Gordon, Adarsh Nednvr, Sydney Tidwell & Justice Magourick-Baker
Mix and Match - by Brea Aikens, Imogen Van Der Werff & Taylor Russo
Origami - by Christian Behrend
Siddhartha - by Kate Montgomery
Solved - by Boe Kim and Corey Martin
The Walking Water - by Dylan Siemann

YOUTH - Imagining China
Bridge to Dragonithia - by Maddy Lopez, Maryanne Sapon, Athena Rodriguez, Acara Turner, Mary Margaret Worley & Cory Summers

Is Bigger Really Better?

2008-03-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

As I drove in to the parking lot at the university I teach at two days a week in East, Texas I was greeted with the most bizarre site. Three Barbie-like seven foot legs were strapped down to a trailer–two legs straddled the side of the trailer while one was supported with a 2x4 pointing straight up. The piece titled "Fecundity" is part of a larger series titled Spiders by artist Joni Younkins-Herzog. The image of the legs strapped to the trailer reminded me in many ways of my own work as far as content and form are concerned however this was not the original intention of the artists–to have their female spider-like figure displayed in such a vulnerable and violent manner, yet this is how I now saw the piece.

Joni and her husband Rick took part in a two-week exhibition at the Art Center which included a visiting artist lecture which took place this afternoon in the art department at Stephen F. Austin. Having attended both the closing reception for the artists and seeing their work today, I must admit Joni's work, particularly her earlier pieces intrigued me more than the exhibition as a whole. I was much more interested in her tongue, teeth and oddities series. I realize I might be biased but art is subjective after all. I invite you to explore her work for yourself.

Critical Mass Top 50

2008-03-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to report I made the Critical Mass 2007 Top 50. Their site hasn't been updated yet with all the winning projects. A big thanks to all who voted for me. Unfortunately though my work was not selected for the book prize however my friend Bill Sullivan was selected as one of the monograph finalists.

I still feel there is a great need to publish both my current bodies of work but especially the Repository work. As I've mentioned before and repeated while attending the portfolio reviews during Fotofest, I have not found a book out there which tackles reproductive cancers through photography and/or art. There are plenty of breast cancer memoirs and documentary photo projects however nothing for those of use dealing with or recovering from uterine, ovarian or cervical cancers. I do think my project needs fine tuning and additional images to complete the project but in the meantime, I will be seeking a publisher interested in the subject and who is equally moved to publish a book on the topic. If you are out there please contact me.

Critical Mass 2007 Top 50 List

Alejandro Cartagena
Andrew Sovjani
Beth Dow
Bill Sullivan
Claire Beckett
Colin Blakely
Daniel Traub
David Prifti
Elzbieta Piekacz
Eric Curry
Fernando Klint
Frank Relle
Fritz Liedtke
Hakan Strand
Hee Seung Chung
Ian van Coller
James Soe Nyun
James Rajotte
Jane Alt
Jason Horowitz
Jenny Ellerbe
JeongMee Yoon
Jing Quek
Jon Edwards
Joni Sternbach
Karen Glaser
Kevin Cooley
Krista Steinke
Larry Louie
Lucas Foglia
Lydia Panas
Martin Miller
Michael Levin
Mitch Dobrowner
Patrick Shanahan
Peter van Agtmael
Preston Wadley
Przemyslaw Pokrycki
Rafal Milach
Rania Matar
Rosanna Salonia
Ryan Zoghlin
Sarah Small
Sarah Sudhoff
Steve Hanson
Susana Raab
Teri Havens
Tessa FrootkoGordon
Toni Pepe
Vanina Feldsztein

Artist Talk Thursday April 3

2008-03-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

On April 3, myself along with artists Alyson Fox, Andrew Long, Baseera Khan, Jill Pangallo, and Rebecca Ward will be giving artist talks at the Austin Museum of Art in conjunction with the New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch exhibition. The event begins at 7pm.

Also opening that night is Yoon Cho's solo exhibition, Nothing Lasts Forever, opening at Women and Their Work in Austin. I meet Yoon at our recent opening at AMOA. The opening is from 6-8pm.

"Cho uses video and digital photography to examine the ways we constantly create and re-create our identities. Utilizing blurring, pattern overlay, image insertion and other digital techniques to manipulate photography and video installations, Cho trains a sly and poignant lens on the ephemeral and ever-shifting nature of human persona. If life is a stage, Cho’s body of work investigates how we get into character".

Fotofest Meeting Place: Day 2-4

2008-03-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

The intense days of mini meetings with well known curators from New York, Texas, California, etc as well as several international galleries has finished up. Well for me anyway. There is one more week of portfolio reviews taking place in conjunction with Fotofest. I honestly had my reservations regarding attending such a costly event however when I ran in to Mary Virginia Swanson at an opening last summer at Jen Beckman's gallery she convinced me it was worth while. Although I did not have the opportunity to meet with MVS (hint hint) although I selected her everyday, I have to agree the days of prep work and sometimes exhausting and nerve racking meetings seem, at this point, to have been a good investment. I had the opportunity meet with a handful of people who seemed to be really interested in my work–either my Repository series or my Sorority Rush series. Overall, I received constructive feedback on how to improve both bodies of work and ways to continue them. I find its always difficult to put yourself out there not knowing what you will get in return, if anything. So for four days myself along with about 100 other people got the nerve to lay our cards down, meet with directors and/or curators we have only dreamed of meeting, all in the hopes that one might be interested enough to represent us, put us in a group show, publish a book of our work or show us around to other possibly interested curators, reps, magazines or book publishers.

I found everyone was looking for something different and I think in the end no matter what level you were at, how finished your body of work was most people found someone their work connected with. I myself was looking for possible gallery representation, inclusion in a group or solo show and interest in publishing one or both projects. In addition, I felt that both projects could be continued and should be. I discussed the strengths and weakness of each body of work and where to go from here. Often, as those of you who have attended reviews know, often the advice can and does contradict what the previous reviewer suggested. I think, based upon all the advice, you have to find the path or next step which seems best suited for you at this moment in time.

In between the meetings and over the course of four days, I was able to receive and give peer reviews and see some amazing photography. What is most striking to me is I signed up for the third section of portfolio reviews. There had been two before mine and one after. The level of work I was seeing and most of which I recognized from recent publications, contests and exhibitions was phenomenal. It appeared that some of the most talented emerging photographers were all gathered in Houston. I ran across photographer Kaylynn Deveney whose images I had seen through the 2005 critical mass top 50 contest. It was a real pleasure to see her prints and also purchase her book titled The Day to Day Life of Albert Hastings. Kent Rogowski, another photographer I had the pleasure of meeting, also recently published a book titled Bears. Both books can be purchased online. I am planning to order Kent's book, maybe he'll sign it for me??? Other photographers I met were Rona Chang, Geoffrey Hutchinson who I knew from New York and his business Print Space as well as Jessica Kaufman and Anne Arden McDonald. On Wednesday night there was an open portfolio viewing where the general public could come view our work and speak with us. After 6 hours of reviews earlier in the day it was the last thing most of us wanted to participate in however the experience was so worthwhile. How often do you have the opportunity to meet the artist or photographer in such a casual setting and how often do we as artists and photographers get to interact with a group of people who might not be the typical crowd at our openings.

Some of these same photographers, including myself, have been selected to attend this years Santa Fe Review happening in June. Unlike the meeting place, the Santa Fe Review is upon portfolio selection only. A panel selects a small group of photographers to attend a two day review. I hope to reedit and include some of the suggestions from the meeting place before heading out to Santa Fe to do it all over again.

Fotofest Meeting Place: Day 1

2008-03-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

I made it through my first day of Fotofest here in Houston. Unfortunately I was so exhausted after I wasn't able to check out any shows around town. I had the pleasure of meeting with several reviewers who offered insightful feedback. It was both encouraging and discouraging on some levels. Based on the first day events I'm considering reediting the current selection of images in my Repository series. I've brought along two series. Most reviewers are drawn to the medical work although a few have been more taken with my Sorority Rush series.

Reviewers questioned the themes running through my Repository series and ways to strengthen those ideas. One reviewer from Canada mentioned the possibility of separating the project in to two parts of one body while another reviewer suggested separating out the images of the photographs of me in the morgue sink from the rest of the hospital/gynecologist pieces. Nothing was a complete surprise however it gets me thinking–maybe the series isn't as strong as I originally thought. Maybe it is. Maybe it just needs refining. I have been wanting to continue with the self-portraits as well as continue shooting for the series but not sure which ideas to focus on and which themes need to be fleshed out more.

In between the intense timed reviews I was able to see the work of fellow Fotofest participants. I ran across two photographers whose images I was already familiar with. I spotted Carlo Van de Roer's Untitled (Astoria Park, Queens, New York). I recognized his image which had been shown at Jen Beckman's gallery and through her photo venture 20x200 offering very reasonably priced prints to the general public. Unfortunately this photo is already sold out in all sizes. It was wonderful being able to see the entire series and meet Carlo. Jen Beckman is attending the conference as a reviewer. I'm hoping to meet her and show her both my series and see where that leads. I'd love to be part of her gallery or at the very least sell an image through her 20x200. I also recognized the work of Rachel Papo and her series of Israeli female soldiers. Her and I were both published in the same issue of PDN edu a few years ago. Having only seen the images in a magazine or online it was fantastic to see them beautifully printed 20x24 as well as see Rachel's new series on ballet dancers in Russia.

I overheard one photographer say that while nothing transpired from his meetings with reviewers two years ago during his first Fotofest conference he walked away inspired. During the last two years he has produced two bodies of work and a book. I hope if nothing else I can walk away with a list of new contacts and the same positive outlook on my own work and future projects.

Collabrative Projects

2008-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

A friend recently sent me a link to this image of a Uterus Vase made by The Plug and Stéphanie Rollin. The vase is a limited edition of twenty pieces, all lacquer and varnish upon a resin core. Seeing the piece reinforced my desire to collaborate with a sculptor, ceramicist or metalsmith. I am always eager to collaborate with another artist, specifically artists working with similar themes present in my own work. If you know anyone looking to collaborate with a photographer and performance artist please send them my way.

I am currently focusing/interested in: repair and preservation of the body and its parts, fragmentation of the physical body, recycling body parts and organs, hair, and anything uterus, ovary or cervix related.

1000 Words: Interview with the Intrepid Art Collector

2008-03-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Lisa Hunter writer and art critic asked me to reveal the story behind my Repository series. Written in 1000 words, I hope I am able to share a piece of my journey and how I've come full circle as a woman and as an artist with our audiences.

Please check out the new feature "1000 Words: Stories Behind the Pictures" now on Mrs. Hunters blog, the Intrepid Art Collector.

I'm headed to Fotofest in Houston next week. I've signed up to meet with national and international curators, gallery directors and publishers. If I'm lucky I might get a solo show or book deal out of it.

AMOA: 20 to Watch Video Interview

2008-03-07T16:18:00.000-08:00

In January, I was interviewed by Andrea Mellard, Curatorial Associate/ Manager of Public Programs at the Austin Museum of Art. It was rather nerve racking. Its been awhile since I had been interviewed let alone filmed during the process. I come off sounding as if I actually know something about my work and my self. So please checkout my video as well as the 19 other participants in the Austin Museum of Art: 20 to Watch exhibition. Don't forget I'll be giving a short artist talk on April 3, 2008. Hope to see you there.

Video Interview

Domestic Work in Progress

2008-03-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Its been awhile since I've had the time to shoot. I can't say my ideas are well formed yet. I feel my Polaroids are sketches. Just simple line drawings that can twist and reshape themselves or even be completely erased as I go.

I've been thinking for awhile about doing a project on my relationship to my mother and the way she spent her 30's. My mother was married with three children and here I am at 30–single, an artist and a professor. Is the road she chose any less successful, adventurous or heroic? I have a few outfits which belonged to my mother from when I was younger. I plan to photograph myself in these garments but also depict memories I have of my mother and dress in my clothes–ironically a style of dress which stems from her era as well as my Cuban heritage.

Support for Artists

2008-03-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure having photographer Timothy Briner lecture at SFA last week and stay a few nights with me. My intention was to inspire and motivate my students to follow through with their ideas. I did not anticipate how much Tim's story and initial struggle to get his "Boonville" project off the ground would touch me and everyone who attended his lecture.

Whether you are drawn to images of small town America or relish in a photographer who still shoots old school with a 4x5 camera and black and white film there is something so real and honest about the way Tim works–his thought process and the way he shares his own fears and mistakes from on the road. It makes his success that much more sweet and we too can share in his achievements because he is so candid and willing to tell all.

Tim has a few more months left to complete this long-term project he calls "Boonville". And I know although he has received funds, donations and kindness where he can, he has run out of money. If you are able to donate please do. You can find more information at the project's website www.boonvilleusa.com

How often do you come across a young photographer willing to lay everything on the line so to speak, in search of a photographic series that rings true to him and everyone that encounters the work.

Boonville TEXAS

2008-02-25T11:46:00.000-08:00

Artist and photographer Timothy Briner has been on the road since July 2007 documenting small town America through a series of photographs taken at six different towns named Boonville. With "Boonville," I am exploring ideas that reflect my opinions and memories of growing up in a small town. This journey is about my connection to these towns, theirs to each other and to the rest of the country. The final product will juxtapose images from all six towns and together, create a fictional town named "Boonville."

This month Tim is in Texas and headed my way. I have asked Tim to be a guest lecturer on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas where I am currently teaching photography and digital media.

I'm excited to see the work as well as hear about his adventures. Anyone in the area please join us Thursday from 5-6pm in the Art building.

In the meantime follow along by visiting Tim's site dedicated to this project.

Boonvilleusa.com

New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch Opening

2008-02-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Despite the cold weather....yes it gets cold here in Texas, rain and tornado warnings nearly 1500 people attended this years New Art in Austin: 20 To Watch opening. I think the show was a huge success and thanks to everyone who came out that night. It was great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.

The work is extremely diverse showcasing performance, video, site specific installation, painting, sculpture and photography. I was especially interested in the work of Jen Hirt and Scott Webel, a collaborative group known as the Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata. If you haven't been out to see the show yet it runs through May 11 before heading on a two year tour through Texas.

In conjunction with the show there are two more fantastic events to attend. On Thursday March 6, the video shorts will be screened at the museum. It will provide an inside look at each artists' working process as well as their studio spaces. Throughout the month of April, all 20 artists will be giving artist talks on Thursday evenings. I am part of the first round on April 3. Hope to see you there.

Home Stretch

2008-02-12T14:48:00.000-08:00

Three days to go till my first museum opening. Yes I'm excited. This past weekend I traveled from Houston to pick up my three prints for the show and hand delivered them to Austin and then returned the next day to Houston. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of time, energy and especially cash that goes in to getting your work seen. This year as in 2008 I've already spent hundreds on competitions, portfolio reviews etc in addition to printing, shipping and return shipping works to three separate shows happening simultaneously. Its the price of being an artist you could say and of course its a catch 22. You are poor because you are an artist however you can't get your work out there, seen by the right people unless you spend money which you know you don't have. On top of that you want to make new work because once your art is out there and people start paying attention they want to know what you are working on now. Again more money spent that you don't already have. Debt is a common word out of my moth. Credit card and student loan debt–it never seems like it will go away. I'm hoping that from these recent shows others will come and hopefully lead to sales or a solo show. As an artist as many of my artist friends know you have to stay positive keep pushing your work even when you get back hundreds of rejection letters. Eventually your work will be in front of the right person at the right time and things will snowball from there. At least thats what I have been told.

Domesticated

2008-02-10T14:44:00.001-08:00

My good friend Amy Stein has her first solo show opening February 16 in Los Angeles at Paul Kopeikin Gallery. Her series Domesticated will be on view through April 26, 2008. If you are anywhere in the vicinity please check out the show. It will be well worth the trip.

The images are constructed based off human encounters with wild animals taken from newspapers and oral histories. The images are shot in Northwest Pennsylvania.

31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography

2008-02-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Humble Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Ladies Lotto, present

"31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography"

Curated by Lumi Tan and Jon Feinstein

On view
Saturday, March 1 – Friday, March 28, 2008

Opening reception
Saturday, March 1, 2008

After receiving more than 1000 submissions we are delighted to announce the exhibiting photographers for "31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography."

Exhibiting photographers:

Alana Celii
Amy Elkins
Ahndraya Parlato
Allison Grant
Ashley Lefrak
Alejandra Laviada
Alex Van Clief
Catherine Maloney
Dina Kantor
Dru Donovan
Elaine Stocki
Hannah Whitaker
Helen Maurene Cooper
Jaimie Warren
Jessica Bruah
Jessica Roberts
Ka-Man Tse
Kate and Camilla
Kelly Kleinschrodt
Manya Fox
Marta Labad
Mary Mattingly
Molly Landreth
Nadine Rovner
Rachael Dunville
Reka Reisinger
Sara Padgett Heathcott
Sarah Small
Sarah Sudhoff
Tealia Ellis Ritter
Talia Chetrit

And And So On....A Cutorial experiment in groups of 100

2008-01-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

I was recently invited to participate in an online curatorial experiment started by Dan Halm. Dan selected two artists who then each selected their own two artists to feature 'And So On'. I was lucky enough to be selected by Amy Stein who also chose Shen Wei. I wanted to select artists other than photographers, revealing just how much other mediums can influence, comment on and re-enforce my own ideas.

The two artists I selected both use human hair as an element in their works. I am personally drawn to Victorian mourning jewelry. I am fascinated with the idea of preserving the memory of someone deceased by containing a 'piece' of them. The containment of our bodies and its parts is something I explore in my own work. When I saw Melanie Bilenker's brooches made with her own hair, I was immediately moved by her process. Langdon Graves's sculptures and installations look and feel like the physical extension of my own photographs.

I am just as curious as Dan is to see where this first round of artists picking artists leads. I hope to discover new works which will inspire my own and I hope to turn others on to my personal favorites.

Spoons!

2008-01-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

Having done my undergraduate in a communications department rather than fine art and earning my masters in a photo specific school, I had little exposure to other artistic mediums. Over the last semester of teaching I have been introduced to the world of craft through metalsmithing and jewelry design.

I volunteered to pose for the images to accompany student exhibition submissions–the top spoon designed by Debra Szczepanski, bottom one designed by Brian Kempf. Both spoons were accepted into the Society of North American Goldsmiths, SNAG for short, Student Digital Slide Show happening in Savannah, Georgia this coming March. "The students were asked to design a spoon that went beyond conventional utility, allowing their intended function to subvert, critique, and reveal our interactions with everyday objects," said Professor and artist Gary Schott.

Who knew there were so many possibilities for spoon designs. I almost wish I was a metalsmith.

Spring Semester

2008-01-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow begins the first day of the spring term at Stephen F. Austin State University where I am currently an adjunct professor in photography and digital media. Last semester was quite the learning curve having had no real teaching experience other than being a teaching assistant in graduate school and a short stint at an elementry school in Austin. It was all uphill for most of the semester. Now that I've recovered from not only moving myself from New York after seven years but adjusting to a new job, I hope to have more time to work on my own projects and in doing so continue to encourage and inspire my photography students. This semester I am excited to work with a class of senior level photo majors. We will be discussing contemporary artists and photographers while focusing on one long term photography project. I want my students to have a personal project to use as their portfolio, enter in to competitions or exhibition proposals. I'm hoping to have a photography exhibition of their work towards the end of the semester somewhere in town. I'm also thinking of putting together a class website in the event we don't find space we can host an online exhibition of their work. I'd ideally love to have works in progress, notes and feedback posted on the site.

I'm finding its a very delicate balance between teaching and producing your own work. In either case you do not want to let anyone down. You feel you have so much to teach, reveal to the student that you need and want to share and at the same time your own desire and need to keep researching, discovering making your own work never stops however there often isn't time for both in the same day or even week sometimes. My goal is to spend one full day a week on my own art and the other six days for teaching, paying bills, organizing the house and sleeping. I have one deadline approaching in mid April. I'm working towards a two person collaborative show with a fellow professor. The material and concept stem from my previous medical work however will incorporate photography, sculpture, an aspect of performance and jewelry.

(The images above are from a portrait assignment from last semester done by two of my beginning photography students)