There are two new exhibitions on display at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) in Balboa Park. I encourage you to see them both. But if you are a fan of photography that pushes the envelope then you will definitely want to check out Unusual Suspects: Paintings and Photographs by Holly Roberts.
Roberts’ work is influenced by the people and experiences of her immediate surroundings blended together in a rich mixture of painting, photography and collage. Much of the work found in Unusual Suspects draws inspiration from the Southwest and Roberts’ unique exposure to the allegory and traditions of the Native American culture of the region. Her work is coherent and unpretentious and the presentation at MoPA really lends itself to a magical world that you could sit with and study for quite a while.
If, like me, you have tried your hand at collage, you might have been disappointed by the results, especially if you have incorporated bits of low contrast black and white photography. By combining these drab but symbolic bits of imagery with judicious amounts of color and negative space Roberts’ images of people and wildlife, houses and landscapes are packed with beguiling stories; they really come alive.
If Roberts’ work stirs your creative juices, watch a video component of the show that offers an inside look at her creative process and then submit a collage of your own. Submission through March 30.
Details at mopa.org.
