Juror Statement by Brent Dedas

It was a pleasure to serve as juror for this exhibition, which explores photography in all its diverse forms. Narrowing down the selections from 143 submissions to just 25 was no easy task, given the abundance of excellent and thought-provoking images. Many strong photographs had to be set aside simply due to limited space. 

The exhibition includes striking traditional works (mountains, night scenes, landscapes, and architectural studies) that stand out for their formal qualities. Just as compelling, however, are the many contemporary approaches to photographic method and format. From representational to abstract, the overall caliber of work was exceptional. What truly distinguished the selected photographs were those that demanded a second, third, even fourth look. Words that come to mind include: playful, experimental, mysterious, wondrous. Some images posed questions, others told stories. I was especially impressed by the boldness and risk-taking evident in both subject matter and technique.  Many of the artists are clearly discovering their own voice, pushing beyond what is easy, popular, or safe. 

Congratulations to all the exhibiting artists, and thank you to Artlink Gallery for the invitation to jury the Aperture exhibition.