Opening Reception + Art Walk Friday, August 5
Please join us at Castell Photography for a very special opening reception for Observatory, a series of photo-based work from Lauren Semivan.
Observatory is an ongoing body of work for Semivan, with each image serving as a documentation of a preconceived or an imagined event in which the artist is utilizing both control and the unknown. These narrative works consist of staged sets or scenes concocted by the artist, utilizing a combination of objects, drawings, the human figure (always the artist herself), and other props. Semivan creates each image using an early 20th century 8x10 view camera, then the large format negatives are scanned and printed without digital manipulation or alterations. The artist states: “Within each image, ghosts of previous drawings create a sense of time suspended, evoking gesture, atmosphere and memory. Photographs allow me to access the extraordinary, to keep a record of dreams, and to employ the uses of the unknown.” Black & White Rabbits, by Lauren Semivan Semivan received her MFA in photography from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2006, and has had an impressive start to her likely long lasting artistic career. Currently based in Ohio, she will begin a new position as a senior lecturer at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in the fall. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University and has served as a guest lecturer at multiple universities and art centers. Semivan’s work has been extensively shown in both solo and group exhibitions ranging from Michigan to Washington to Berlin, among others. The young artist has also received multiple grants and awards, including the Griffin Award from the 15th annual Juried Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Boston, which was jurored by gallery owner Catherine Edelman. Additionally, the artist has been featured in numerous publications including multiple features in Shotsmagazine. “To say that we are excited to show Lauren Semivan’s work would be a considerable understatement. These deeply narrative works are extremely personal but somehow oddly relatable or familiar, a feat that is not easily achieved. She tells us just enough to draw us in without revealing too much, creating a perfect balance which results in truly authentic, striking works of art.” says gallery director Heidi Gruner. Labyrinth, by Lauren Semivan The opening reception for Observatory will be held THIS Friday, August 5th from 5p.m. to 8p.m, and will coincide with the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association’s August art walk. Wine and beer will be served. The show will remain on exhibit through September 30th.
