Photo Show Spans Three Centuries of Techniques

Pima Community College’s Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery announces a free photography exhibition, “Spanning Three Centuries: Ambrotype, Gelatin Silver, Digital,” Sept. 8 through Oct. 10. 

The exhibition showcases photographs by contemporary photographers Toshi Ueshina, Emily Matyas and Peter Trexler.  Each of the three artists uses a different process to develop their photos.  The processes range from 19th century ambrotype and 20th century gelatin silver prints to 21st century digital.

An informal gallery talk with the artists is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A reception for the artists also will be held Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Sunnyside High School’s Los Diablitos De Sunnyside Mariachi will provide music during the reception.

Toshi Ueshina’s images are created by ambrotype process, a wet-plate collodion positive image made on stained glass.  It produces beautiful images and unexpected chemical failures at the same time.

According to Ueshina, “In my journeys, I have used photography as a poetic, contemplative process analogous to haiku poetry. Photography addresses those things I can sense when tuned into the heart of the events deeply, narrowly and secretly.” Ueshina is an adjunct instructor of photography at Pima Community College.

Emily Matyas’ gelatin silver images were taken while working in Mexico on an immigration project for Save the Children.  Her photos show people who have relatives living in the United States and miscellaneous photos from the Sonoran region. Matyas has had numerous solo and group exhibitions.  

A Save The Children border discussion, led by project director Jorge Valenzuela, will be held immediately after the reception.

Peter Trexler’s images are digital captures. He identifies this body of work with Modernism, though over the years it has cycled between figurative and abstract.

“Work comes from life,” Trexler says.  “This work comes from a time of being quite, dare I say, meditative.  If nothing else, this work is an ode to Josef Albers.”  Trexler also works as a metal sculptor, with over forty installations on public lands throughout the southwest.  Trexler is an adjunct instructor of photography at Pima Community College.

The Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery is located at the Center for the Arts on Pima Community College’s West Campus, 2202 West Anklam Road.  

Gallery hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The Gallery is also open before most evening performances in the Center for the Arts theatres.

For more information about this exhibition, please contact the gallery at 206-6942 or email centerforthearts@pima.edu.

PRESS CONTACT: David Irwin, Executive Director for Public Information, (520) 206-4528