One of the proudest moments yet, in a life making pictures, was learning photographer Emmet Gowin awarded this and 3 other photos of mine “Best in Show” and “Best Body of Work”. The 27th international Phillips Mill Photographic Exhibition was to open tonight in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Gowin is not only one of America’s great godfathers of contemporary photography, but a personal hero. A fair amount of sadness has gripped me after the show was canceled due to this rather pesky pandemic. I was beyond excited to share my prints at tonight’s reception.
Plans are nearing completion for an online exhibition of the juried show. I’m told by mid to late April. Gowin selected 140 photos from over a thousand submitted, nationally and internationally. It would’ve been a hell of a show with him at the helm. I look forward to seeing his choices in the online showcase. I’ll post the exhibition when it goes live.
I was informed very early on by Gowin’s photographs that he made in Danville, Virginia (his maternal home) of his wife Edith and her family. They were extraordinarily personal, yet resonant in pulling viewers into his intimate world. His example demonstrated how photography could function beyond merely a nice image, a record, or moment, pointing more to an emotional consciousness at play.
I am truly honored to receive his awards.
*** UPDATE ***
Phillips Mill Photographic Exhibition (online version) now up on Phillips Mill Photo website
Link Found Here
Couple / Shoreline © Michael Ast, 2020
