Karl P. Koenig is Coming to APG!

The images are haunting and evocative. They glow with a life energy that draws the viewer in. Dead fish in the marketplace, off-beat scenes in New Mexico, and twisted trees, “natures own architecture”, all seem to have a spirit that lives and breathes within them. This remarkable body of work will soon be on display at the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery.

Beginning on July 15 through Labor Day, we will present “In This Place…”, an exhibit by the world-renowned photographer, Karl P. Koenig, with a reception for the artist on Friday, July 22, from 7 to 9 pm.

Koenig works chiefly with two alternative processes: polychromatic gumoil, which he created in 1990, and non-toxic photogravure, which uses Solar Plates. Gumoil is a versatile, labor-intensive process using oil pigments and gum arabic mixed with potassium bichromate for its UV sensitivity. Koenig literally invented the process and wrote the book on it, entitled “Gumoil Photographic Printing”. Photogravure is a printmaking process whereby a coated copper plate is exposed to a positive image, forming an intaglio surface receptive to lithography inks.

Both of these processes result in images that are hauntingly old-world. The gumoil, especially, is sensual and textural. In the wrong hands, unusual processes such as these can easily degrade into trite and gimmicky. No matter what tools or techniques are used, you must start with a great image and the technique must be appropriate to that image. Koenig’s work achieves this and more.

“I devote considerable thought and experimentation,” he says, “in choosing the best method, the optimal combinations of textures and colors, and appropriate size for each image.”

After a successful career in psychology, first as a professor and then in private practice, Koenig changed course and pursued his artistic passions. He studied lithography, silkscreen and non-silver photography. In 1990, he pioneered the new—yet old looking—‘alternative process’ that he named Gumoil. He has had work exhibited in Australia, Switzerland, Agentina (to name a few) as well as extensively throughout the United States, including a showing of Concentration Camp Architecture photos at the Holocaust Museum in Houston.

For Karl P. Koenig’s full resume of achievements, including the complete, and impressive, list of publications, exhibits, workshops, lectures and awards, visit his website.