After a hellish amount of preparation, the photo exhibition is finally coming together. The show starts today and will finish tomorrow night (the 17th and 18th). I managed to send 100 prints from Indonesia, 72 of which will be up for grabs. Matted, signed, etc. I truly hope it’s a success, as this is the first time I’ve shown my work without actually being there. I’ve come across many obstacles, yet all will surely lead me to a smoother journey next time. I’ll say it again, anyone interested in purchasing prints from the show or other work you’ve seen on javajive, chances are it’s available; simply send me an email and we’ll take care of the order.

A big thanks goes out to Laurel Howe for representing my work for this exhibition and the coming months on the East Coast. Ian, Alicia, and Cindy for editing my artist’s statement at least 31 times. And to Novita for putting up with my 10 day marathon on the computer and limited sleep.

Speaking of artist’s statement. I figure I may as well share the fruit of my efforts. I hope it doesn’t come across as being pretentious:

Indonesia has been my home for many years. It is a land of exquisite beauty, exotic cultures, and fascinating people, all of which have been a continual source of inspiration for my photography.

During my time here, I have seen the magnificence of destruction, the hope of rebuilding, and an astounding resilience which is a testament to the Indonesian people’s vitality and perseverance. My journeys often take me into areas of absolute poverty, yet smiles abound. Vibrant colors saturate the landscape, and unimaginable splendor is found in the most unexpected of places.

My photographs tend to explore the juxtaposition of the mundane and the exotic and seek the essence of what makes something beautiful. This may take the form of a graceful Balinese dancer’s feet twirling around delicate flower petals, the sky blue of a slum wall behind the brilliant fuchsia of a food vendor’s cart, or the rain-soaked tea plantations carpeting the side of a perilous volcano. Through this collection of photographs, I hope to share Indonesia’s vitality and the simple allure of this breathtaking country.

Let the show begin!

For those of you interested in making it to the exhibition, here’s a map: