Poetics of the ParkeHarrisons

A multidisciplinary production process, comprising numerous photography techniques (such as darkroom, photomontage, collage, or varnishes), as well as painting, drama theatre (see staged scenes or fabricated props) and sculpture (see versized objects), has been applied in Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison's photographs in order to create photographs that, in spite of touching the surreal, attempt to picture a disturbing actual man-nature relation, primarily focusing on the human impact on nature, destruction and rehabilitation.

"I want to make images that have open, narrative qualities, enough to suggest ideas about human limits. I want there to be a combination of the past juxtaposed with the modern. I use nature to symbolize the search, saving a tree, watering the earth. In this fabricated world, strange clouds of smog float by, there are holes in the sky. These mythic images mirror our world, where nature is domesticated, controlled, and destroyed." Robert ParkeHarrison, The Architect's Brother (Santa Fe, NM: Twin Palms, 2000).

(Forestbed)

The ParkeHarrisons' work may be divided into two distinct periods: (1) the older works that might be distinguished by their monochrome (sepia or black-and-white) tonality, laboriously constructed sets of damaged or hollow landscapes, and the character of an "archetypal", black-suit-clad figure of "Everyman", who is patiently executing obscure, improbable and futile acts and rituals, and uses crude machines in attempt to communicate with the earth, to help it in its work, and to heal its wounds; and (2) the newer works, which are characterized by subdued colour palette; bare, grey walls or ground; blindingly white snow or contrejour (i.e. backlight); and by showing only parts of human body: there is no full man/woman portrayed.

(Cloud Burst)

(Pollination)

The photographs appear to me strangely poetic, and beautifully rendered ambiguous: they are witty and ironic, as well as unnerving and gloomy. In a highly organized fashion, they tell the story of chaos of a struggling (?), angry (?) and confused (?) existence.

(Grey Dawn)

(The Scribe)