P A S T E X H I B I T I O N

Ansley West Rivers
Envisaged Landscapes
November 4, 2023 - January 20, 2024

Envisaged Landscapes is a thought-provoking exhibition by Ansley West Rivers, her second solo show at EUQINOM Gallery. Through her photographic work, West Rivers captures the evolving relationship between humanity and the environment. She presents two distinct bodies of work, inviting viewers to contemplate the complex intersection of landscape and human existence.

One aspect of this exhibition focuses on the concept of "home" and the reimagining of landscapes. West Rivers explores the past, free from extensive development, and the future, fraught with the potential for fire and drought. She skillfully conveys her vision of these invented landscapes, fragmented and reconstructed, reflecting her vision of home—both past and present.

Over the past decade, West Rivers has embarked on a photographic journey across the United States, using her large format camera to document the rapidly changing landscape. Envisaged Landscapes unites her two major projects: Seven Rivers and Tree Portraits, which delve into the profound connection between nature and humanity.

Seven Rivers offers a meticulous examination of seven significant American watersheds, tracing their path from source to sea through carefully constructed compositions. In a more recent endeavor, West Rivers turns her lens towards the bodies of water near her home in Idaho, documenting the somber changes and challenges facing essential freshwater sources.

In contrast, Tree Portraits reflects on the abrupt loss of Aspen trees on a neighboring property and the often disjointed human efforts to recover from such man-made losses. West Rivers captures the beauty and wildness of the landscapes we inhabit, aiming to spark meaningful conversations about the fundamental sources of life itself.

Envisaged Landscapes is an exploration of the evolving relationship between humanity and the environment, offering a unique perspective on the past, present, and potential future of our landscapes. West Rivers' photographic artistry invites viewers to engage in a dialogue about our vital connection to the natural world.

BIO

Ansley West Rivers (American, b. 1983) holds a BFA from the University of Georgia and an MFA from the California College of the Arts. West Rivers’ work is featured in many public and private collections including the Telfair Museum, Savannah, GA, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, The Judge Collection, LaGrange Art Museum, and The Mayo Collection. Additionally, West Rivers's work has been shown at The Wiregrass Museum (Dothan, AL), Wattis Institute of Contemporary Art (San Francisco, CA), Sous Les Etoiles Gallery (New York, NY), Burrard Arts Foundation (Vancouver BC), The David Brower Center (Berkeley, CA), Kala Art Institute (Berkeley, CA), Hathaway Gallery (Atlanta, GA), The Print Center (Philadelphia, PA). She currently lives with her husband and two children in Victor, Idaho.

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