Exhibit showcases student photography

On display until March 22, the School of Art's photography exhibit features photos by junior Joe Heim whose work presents a critique on human manipulation using familiar images such as the Washington Monument (photo by Cameron Shuler).

Running from now until the end of March, George Mason University’s School of Art will be showcasing works by student photographers in the Johnson Center, Gallery 123. The exhibit is a final portfolio of the AVT 353 course under the instruction of Professor Peggy Feerick.  The gallery highlights eight students’ unique pieces covering a variety of different themes and subject matters.

Joe Heim, a junior photography major, is just one of the featured photographers. Heim’s work presents a critique on the human tendency to manipulate past memories and space in his piece “Constructed Manipulations.” Each of the images are constructions of natural landmarks, including the iconic Washington Monument, which was shrunk down to an extremely small scale.

Heim’s images present the viewer with a unique perspective through use of a photography technique known as free-lensing. Free-lensing is a technique where the photographer removes the lens from the camera to produce a distinct refraction of light and blur on the subject.

As a high school freshman, Heim gained an interest in photography which has led him to study it at Mason. In contrast to other subjects, Heim notes the unique ability of photography to continually challenge him in way that led him to continue developing his artistic ability.

“You’re never done learning with photography, there’s no right answers,” said Heim. “It’s not like a math problem where you find the answer and move on.”

Junior photography major, Joe Heim is just one of the featured photographers in the School of Art's photography exhibit (photo by Cameron Shuler).

However, Heim realizes that the artistic process does have its struggles. In particular, Heim notes the initial indecision he often faces when in the production and development of particular ideas and projects.

“It’s the initial process that I find most difficult,” said Heim. “I often have so many different ideas I would like to use. It can, at times, take me up to two weeks to decide on an idea. I usually end up starting a lot later than everyone else but finishing earlier just because I work so diligently once I do get started.”

Each of the works in the gallery have been constructed through use of different cameras, lenses, sizes of paper and subject matters to present the viewer with a wide range of different perspectives and photography techniques.

This is the first year that an exhibition has been held to showcase student photography. However, the School of Art hopes to soon hold additional events and increase exposure to highlight the work of Mason’s photography students.

The School of Art is hoping to continue fostering the growth of its students. This summer, Heim and several other art students will be participating in a three-week study abroad program in Italy. The trip will be comprised of a variety of art students including those with a focus in illustration, printmaking, and photography. In Spring  2014, the School of Art hopes to hold an additional gallery in the Atrium of Mason Hall, to showcase a spectrum of student artworks.

The photography gallery will be on display in the Johnson Center Gallery from now until March 22.