Bonfoey Gallery Presents FOCUS, an Exhibition of Six Photographers

Keeper of Light, photo by Donald Black.

Bonfoey Gallery opened FOCUS on May 1; it will run through June 30 in conjunction with the 2021 Cleveland Photo Fest. The exhibition features the work of six photographers: Donald Black, Abe Frajndlich, Amanda King, Jeannette Palsa, Christopher Pekoc, and Garie Waltzer.

FOCUS presents a carefully curated collection of photographs, each with its own individual focus, that together bring attention to the diverse interpretations of a single medium.

While the work of each artist stands strongly on the grounds of their individual success, when placed in the same space the work creates a powerful movement of photographic vision—a vision that differs in each individual work, but collectively represents the concept of focus.

Focus—defined as a central point of attraction, attention, or activity—is not limited by scope nor quantity. It can be interpreted narrowly or broadly as one sees fit. For this exhibition, what started as an interest in portraiture expanded as we began to ask ourselves: how can the focus of a photograph affect the way we view the work? And how is the focus of a photograph influenced by the experience of the person behind the camera?

These six photographers come from widely different backgrounds with experiences and perspectives that allow them to use their voices in unique ways—all through the medium of photography.

For example, Donald Black cites “the experience of being black” as an inspiration for his work. He uses photography as a means of reflecting on his experience. Similarly, Amanda King explores Black subjectivity in her work, also using her personal experience to create images that serve as a call to action, advocating for racial equity and justice in both the arts and society at large.

Garie Waltzer creates her photographic work through her travels. She captures the cultural landscapes of places that host the experiences of others. Whereas, Jeannette Palsa often draws her inspiration from the work of those she admires. She finds shared passions with artists that consider photography a language.

Abe Frajndlich’s photographs show the experiences of those in front of the camera, providing a glimpse at the enigmatic personalities of his often-famous subjects. Lastly, Chris Pekoc’s photographic collages “transform our usual sense of the beautiful to include the strange, the disturbing, and the mysterious” (Dana Gioia). Chris draws from both his experiences and imagination to achieve such a stark juxtaposition.

Visit Bonfoey Gallery to see the work of these six artists in FOCUS through June 30.

For more information, please visit bonfoey.com or contact the Bonfoey Gallery at 216.621.0178 or gallery@bonfoey.com.