2014 Portraits Exhibition, Center for Fine Art Photography

Hamidah Glasgow, director of the Center for Fine Art Photography, invited Amy Arbus to guest jury the Center’s “Portraits 2014” exhibition, and Ms. Arbus selected two images by Bear Kirkpatrick for inclusion, and then awarded him the juror’s prize of a solo exhibition. 

 The exhibition was an opportunity for Bear Kirkpatrick to create an atmosphere in the Center’s North Gallery, but also to fill in some of the spaces between the portraits.  The exhibition included 35 still images, one newly created video portrait, a 5 speaker sound system for the video’s score, handmade curtains, colored walls, and carpeting. 

 The installation was scheduled for a 2 month period (10/3/14 to 11/22/14) and was immediately extended for a month by director Hamidah Glasgow. 

"Bear Kirkpatrick's work is mesmerizing. The complexity of his images aligns with his expert simplicity of presentation to invite and welcome a second and third look--they seem to keep going and going. The work is intensely creative, informed, and multi-faceted. The best of his Portraits and Hierophanies series not only surprise and delight but remain in your mind long after you’ve walked away from them. Bear Kirkpatrick is the kind of artist that we all hope to find."

-Hamidah Glasgow