Well, I"m starting this page with a review I just received from one of the jurors at Lensculture for the Talent Awards 2020. I'm starting with this because in all my years of writing, publishing and submitting works of art, this is the best review. Best. Ever.
Why? Because this juror not only looked at my work but she/he considered the gaze. And that gaze was for longer than in Instagram minute. The gaze took time and the thoughts written took time and consideration of the work. She/he explained their thoughts and most importantly offered suggestions as to where I should go from here (a list of places to send work and a few books to read). That takes time and thought and I so appreciate it. In fact, I appreciated it so much that I looked up every artist in "What is a Photograph" and watched videos on them for a week - I almost filled a small sketchbook with notes and questions to myself. That, is a fantastic review.
So here are the words and photographs reviewed after which I am linking other articles and places I have work on the net.
Thanks so much for taking time with me and if you have commented, thank you for that also because words matter to artists.
"Dear Cynthia,
Thank you for submitting your work to LensCulture.
You have a series of gorgeous, bold, sensual images here. You have taken a subject matter that has been photographed over and over and made it feel new and personal. These photographs have a voice and a sensibility that is rich and exciting.
The work feels considered but also natural, there isn't an image that doesn't work or feels out of place. The black backgrounds are striking and the color feels vibrant and alive. Images 3,5,9, and 10 are standouts for me. Something about these in particular feel incredibly well resolved, each part, each bit of color and form feels wonderfully intentional. You also manage to capture enough slight shifts across the images to keep the rhythm and pacing moving and consistent.
Miranda Lichtenstein's book of polaroids of flowers is a lovely example of a work to look toward. Dillon DeWaters, a NY based photographer, has an aesthetic that comes to mind when I see your work - not the same, but something connected. The Israeli photographer Ori Gersht's photographers of flowers exploding and disintegrating are another great reference to look at. Dutch artist Ruth Van Beek's book works, How To Do The Flowers and The Arrangement, are beautiful contemporary looks at photography, collage, and still life.
I would definitely consider further sharing this work - for exhibition and for publication. I could certainly see this work in the pages of publications such as Pleasure Garden, Plant Journal, etc. The website The Garden Edit has opportunities and connections between the art world and botanical scenes that might be of interest. These images could make a beautiful book or just an entrancing exhibition. I would experiment with a statement that extrapolates out from your work to include with the images, for reviews, and to pitch for publication, exhibition opportunities. Perhaps at a gallery or at a botanical center?
This is a beautifully conceived and composed body of work and I hope to see it out in the world!" -LensCulture 2020 review
2020 -2021 Artist in Residence from the Science Museum's St. Croix Watershed Research Center
The Science Museum of Minnesota funds an Artist in Residence at Pine Needles at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station. I've been accepted as one of the artists for the 2020 season altho its been shortlisted to the summer of 2021 due to the CoVid 19 Crisis. I will be working with 6 scientists at the station exploring the concept of "beauty" in science.
Awards and Other Words
In lieu of the wait I'm looking for local gardeners and gardens to photograph. Please write me if you are interested!
LensCulture Talent 2020 work submitted
14th Annual Julia Cameron Awards. May 2019
MN Landscape Arboretum review 2020
Musee Photography Magazine Weekend Portfolio - March 27, 2020
Burnet Fine Art & Advisory "Fresh" April 15, 2020 Catalog
Burnet Fine Art & Advisory Cynthia Dickinson Works
"Abstractions". Loosen Art Gallery. Rome, Italy. May, 2020 exhibit moved from the gallery to online.
15th Annual Julia Cameron Awards. Honorable Mention for a series in Nature. 2019
16th Annual Julia Cameron Awards. Honorable Mention for a series in Nature. 2020
16th Annual Pollux Awards. Honorable Mention for a series in Fine Art. 2020
16th Annual Pollux Awards. Honorable Mention for a series in Nature. 2020
16th Annual Pollux Awards. Honorable Mention in Open Theme. 2020
Photo Place Gallery Color Awards. Honorable Mention. 2021
Praxis Gallery "The Artist Intervenes". Honorable Mention.
Representation
I'm represented, locally in Wayzata, MN by Burnet Fine Art & Advisory. Please contact Jennifer Phelps for information.
I'm represented in Tel Aviv by Artlink: We Art the World
Collections