FOCUS GROUP
NM photographers show best of portraits, landscapes, otherworldly images
The Ninth Annual New Mexico Photographic Art Show opens with provocative portraits, stunning landscapes and tunnels to nowhere at EXPO New Mexico on April 1.
The exhibition features 260 prints by 136 photographers.
“I’ve had to cut out about half that many who didn’t make the cut,” show founder LeRoy Perea said. “We’ve had one of our biggest years ever.”
The show opened with 112 original images nine years ago.
The prints tell a story, capture a memory or evoke people and places that are nonexistent, Perea said.
Jeff Bidewell’s “Tea With Alice” portrays an underwater fairy tale image of the classic tea party.
“He usually does glamorous kinds of stuff,” Perea said. “But he had some kids he wanted to play with; they had the costumes. They borrowed a pool. Some things had to have weights on them to keep them from floating away.”
David Davies’ blackand-white shimmering staircase is a study in contrast.
“That’s incredible composition,” Perea said. “It just pulls you in and takes you on a ride around the rail.”
Patty Vergeer’s African “Buffalo Stampede” bristles with motion as a water buffalo stops to stare at the camera.
“Foggy Sunrise in Bernardo, New Mexico” by Steven Yabek captures the tranquillity of a group of sandhill cranes.
“The early morning photographs have these beautiful pinks and blues,” Perea said. “I love the shadows in the reflection off the water.”
Retired from Sandia National Laboratories, Peter Davies took “Patagonia Night” while on vacation. The finely sculpted mountains arc and mirror in the water beneath the stars.
Open only to New Mexico photographers, the exhibition treats viewers to a peek into the minds of each artist, Perea said. Sandra Corless, Dennis Chamo and Lisa Sego served as jurists.
Admission is free.