Christmas Luminaries

Christmas Luminaries

Whether you call them luminaries or farolitos these bags with candles are a Christmas Eve tradition in New Mexico.  Traditionally they were meant to help guide the Christ child to your home.

 

This image was taken at the 17th century ruin of the San Jose de Los Jemez Mission Church in Jemez Springs, New Mexico.  Moon light provided some nice fill light for me.  ISO 1600, f/13, 30 sec exposure

 

 

 

Meet the Artist: Robert Crespin

Robert Crespin has been with APG for three years now, and the gallery truly wouldn't be the same without him.  A prolific and award winning artist, you can always count on Roberto's wall to have something new and different when you come into the gallery.  You may have seen his work this past year at the New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair, The Contemporary Hispanic Market, or in the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority 2013 Calendar.

Here's a little more about the artist, straight from the source.

As a native New Mexican, I have lived among the Western Cowboy, Pueblo Indian, and Northern New Mexico Hispanic cultures of my state. I grew up watching my mother painting landscapes and flowers, and was inspired to see her use of light, shadows, and colors, and her understanding of the beauty of the world. I strive to capture these elements in my photography.

The Land of Enchantment’s striking landscapes and diverse cultures create a special environment for artists. New Mexico’s unique lighting is something artists have been inspired by for decades.  Every day I work on perfecting my skills, and I enjoy creating fine art that will stir a feeling, tickle a sense, or inspire you to create something within you. I hope you enjoy what I have captured through my lens.

Gracias y Bienvenidos,

Robert Crespin

Nature is man’s teacher.  She unfolds her treasures to his search.  Unseals his eye, illumes his mind, and purifies his heart; An influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence.  

-Alfred Billings Street

Bisti Wonderland

The Bisti Badlands are in Northwest New Mexico.  It is a wonderland of weird formations and visas.  This image was taken in an area commonly called the "egg factory".  My name for this image however is "On the Half Shell".  If you are ever in the area be sure to give the Bisti a look.  The badlands are on BLM land.  Most of the nicer formations are about a mile hike from the parking lot.
Urey Lemen

Added Incentive

We now have another great reason why you should come to the gallery this Friday, 6-9 PM, for the opening reception of Lee Marmon: "The Acoma Collection".

1)  You'll really want to meet the very personable artist and hear his many stories.

2)  You also don't want to miss seeing his amazing photographs.

And now:

3)  High Noon Restaurant & Saloon has graciously offered to provide a selection of mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres for the reception. Check out their facebook page for more information about the restaurant and to see some photos of their tempting food.

Lee Marmon: "The Acoma Collection"

His photos — historic and unique — are as diverse as the life he has lived. Best known for his iconic photograph “White Man's Moccasins”, which embodies the clash of two cultures, Laguna Pueblo photographer Lee Marmon has chronicled the history of his people for more than six decades.

Beginning on March 1st through April 30th, the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery presents “Lee Marmon, The Acoma Collection”, with a reception for the artist on Friday, March 1st, from 6 to 9 pm.

Lee Marmon embarked on his extraordinary career after serving in World War II when he started photographing tribal elders at the suggestion of his father. From that beginning, his work took him to Hollywood, the White House, Acoma Pueblo and back home to Laguna. Along the way he photographed presidents, celebrities, tribal elders, dancers, and sacred landscapes of the Southwest. His work is a unique visual record of American life and has garnered many awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Santa Fe Indian Market and The Czech Republic's Kantuta humanitarian award.

Marmon's work has been widely shown in galleries and museums throughout the world. Some are in the permanent collection at the White House. In 2009, the University of New Mexico acquired Marmon's collection of more than 40,000
negatives and many of his last silver gelatin prints now belong to Acoma Pueblo. Through a special arrangement with Acoma, Albuquerque Photographers' Gallery in Old Town is thrilled to show and offer for sale these rare works of art that are among the last of his personally printed and signed photographs. The gallery will also offer works from Marmon's personal collection, including original silver gelatin prints of “White Man's Moccasins”, as well as several high quality posters. And now, some of his work is available for purchase on our website.

His daughter, the writer Leslie Marmon-Silko, once wrote of her father that he served, “the most ancient of Pueblo imperatives: to honor all beings, but especially our beloved ones, gone before us”. These are not snapshots, she added, but “lively plays between sunlight and shadow to reveal the precious and beloved outside of time”.

The Albuquerque Photographers' Gallery is located at 303 Romero Street, NW in Old Town Albuquerque and is New Mexico's preeminent gallery of contemporary photography. More information is available from the gallery's website, http://www.abqphotographersgallery.com/

 

 

Reception

 

Don't forget, coming up this Friday.  



Three of our photographers, Bill d'Ellis, Elsa d'Ellis and Robert Crespin are among the photographrs whose work is featured in "Rio Vistas," a 2013 Water Conservation Calendar. This free calendar, which includes Bill d'Ellis' photo, below,

 

Rio Grande Sandbars
 

 

 

was produced by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. 

 

 

 

To celebrate, the Water Utility Authority will host a reception at our gallery on Friday, January 18th, 5 - 7 PM. All of the featured photographers will have work on display. 

 

Refreshments will be served.

 

We hope you can come! You can pick up your free calendar while you're there.