Before the Change, Cuba
E.K. Waller
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
As a photographer, I am always looking for visual evidence of human endeavor. I search for pivotal moments where I recognize human behavior that epitomizes universality and understanding. This is where humanity manifests: in the portrait of a people, in their daily lives, in the solutions they create for themselves, in the face of a woman, man or child. It is my quest to capture and portray another’s reality. It is a search for treasure, this looking for images, that satisfies me to my core.
When I had an opportunity to go to Cuba, I was elated to visit the “forbidden” island. I anticipated big changes coming after president Obama opened our country to travel there. I wanted to see for myself and capture Cuban life before the invasion of capitalism altered the magic and tragedy of this land. I wanted to show how the people were living and the resulting joy or misery that that entailed. What I found was a people who were happy in their lives, eager to express themselves through dance, art, music and sports, even in the face of poverty, as we might know it. To experience the accessibility and the openness of the people was breathtaking! The crumbling infrastructure offered a picturesque view of the reality of Cuba.
Opening reception Saturday, May 4, 2019. 6:00 to 9:00 PM
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Attracted to photography in childhood, I received a Brownie as my first camera. I went on to study both photography and painting at Middle Tennessee State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Teaching & Studio/Fine Arts, Photography & Painting. After a year of teaching High School Art, I began my photography career working as a photojournalist for The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It was during this time that I cemented my love of photography, shooting photojournalism and exhibiting photographs and paintings. I then relocated to Los Angeles where I worked in advertising photography while continuing to exhibit fine art photography.
In Los Angeles, I taught photography at Santa Monica College and Disney Creative Academy. I was on the Professional Advisory Committee at Fullerton College, was on the Board of Directors of Advertising Photographers of America from 1994 – 2002, Co-chairing the Annual Membership Exhibition each year. I also served as a juror for exhibitions, most recently at Emeritus College and Santa Monica College.
In 2014 I retired from commercial practice to focus exclusively on Fine Art Photography. I am currently working on different bodies of work, shot in Cuba, Italy, France, Mexico, Southeastern US and Los Angeles. I am represented by The Perfect Exposure Gallery.
ABOUT THE GALLERY
The Perfect Exposure Gallery is the recognized venue in Southern California to display the work of award winning and accomplished photojournalists as well as works of photographers that regard artistry and craftsmanship as a standard of excellence. The mission of the Perfect Exposure Gallery is to present exhibits free of charge to the general public with the following goals to exemplify the rich variety and impact of photography, freedom of expression, a forum for the aesthetic, the contemptible and the sublime.
Exhibition dates: Saturday 4, May 2019 to Saturday 1, June 2019