“Mapping the Darkness” is the title of the exhibition of photographs and more by Ray Chanslor, Rita Henry and Betsy Emil that opens tomorrow night at Gallery 26, 2601 Kavanaugh. That title? You’ve got to have darkness to put the light where you want it.
Henry has had six shows at Gallery 26 and is well-known hereabouts for her work and her teaching at the photography club “Blue-Eyed Knocker.” She is a film artist, and sometimes uses a vintage camera on vintage paper.
From the gallery, here’s a bit about the other artists:
A Pine Bluff native, Ray Chanslor travels constantly with his camera in hand. His photographic interest began by snapping imaginary photos on his grandmother’s old camera. Now, Ray modifies cameras to make images some of which have been seen at Historic Arkansas Museum and the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center. His technique is reminiscent of the first photographic masters with soft, flaring lights and warm tones. Ray’s subjects occupy Arkansas’ fading rural communities with Southern symbols to ignite a viewer’s personal interpretation.
Betsy Emil loves strong characters. Whether it is a herd of giraffes or a lone middle-aged swimmer, her art intuitively records life’s patterns, beautiful, absurd, rare and magical. Influenced by dreams, her illustrations are often drawn during pre-dawn work sessions. Her designs are informed by her independent exploration of fashion textiles.Her photography captures life as she experiences it. Betsy studied at the International Center of Photography in New York City with contemporary masters.
The artist reception is 7 to 10 p.m. tomorrow, Sept.14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.