Description: Silver Gelatin Photograph
Award: OSU President's Award and Reese and Paul Lamb Award Purchase
Artist: Philip V. Augustin, Salem, OR
Price: $ 400
"My work explores the line between Natural Reality, which depends on physical form and Abstract Reality, which depends on intrinsic form. For me, the image needs to go beyond the physical presence of a subject and explore its essential nature. Working with both natural and human elements, I use the play of light and shadow to create ambiguity. This ambiguity leaves the image open to interpretation, challenging the viewer to go beyond the physical form, using their own feeling, emotions, and experiences to bring deeper understanding.
When transforming the image from vision to reality, I feel nothing can match the richness of tones achieved in a traditional silver gelatin print. This richness creates a near tactile quality that has the power to draw the view in. All my images are printed and processed by had using traditional (non-digital) photographic techniques. It is important to me that the artist's hand is always present."
Philip V. Augustin
2003
