Internationally known photographers to exhibit at UF Galleries

September 26, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — An internationally renowned couple, Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor, bring their unique style of photographic imaging and composition to the University Gallery Sept. 25 – Nov. 9 at the University of Florida.

The two-person show “Just Suppose: Photographs by Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor” features the husband and wife team, each well-known for their vibrant layered images and artistic vision.

Jerry Uelsmann, a professor emeritus of photography at the UF College of Fine Arts School of Art and Art History, helped to change the position of photography in art history by approaching the manipulation of photo negatives and using new methods for printing in the darkroom. By combining negatives from many different photographs into composite images, he uses pure elements to invent imaginary worlds. His work, done in black and white, is studied and manipulated. It usually combines elements of nature with symbolic objects or imagery that invoke humanity.

Maggie Taylor, who received her M.F.A. from the School of Art and Art History at UF, has recently gained a tremendous following, and like Uelsmann, she has challenged prevailing approaches to her craft. Her process of layering imagery is created digitally, primarily utilizing a photographic scanner and computer software to create rich, layered compositions that in many cases appear to be closer to painting than photography. Her work is in vivid color, and utilizes symbolic objects and imagery that is dreamlike and ethereal. It is complex, with emotion and tenderness that is unexpected in the flat, graphic world of digital imagery.

Although Taylor and Uelsmann have previously appeared in galleries together, this exhibition presents an in-depth study of both of their work highlighting its similarities. UF and Gainesville have been home to these two artists for many years.

A reception party from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 will feature music from The Peyton Brothers performing live in the University Courtyard. The opening coincides with those in the College of Fine Arts other two galleries: The Focus Gallery, which will exhibit photographs by Randy Batista, and the Grinter Gallery, which showcases Latin American printmaking.

For information about the University Gallery members’ private preview Oct. 12, please contact the gallery.