Suburbia Hagedorn Gallery
2013
Christina Price Washington's work in the "Suburbia" exhibition at the Hagedorn Foundation Gallery offers a unique and contemplative perspective on suburban life. With her "Studies from Home" series, she brings a nuanced and more introspective perspective to the discussion of suburban environments.
Washington's photographs focus on extreme close-ups of natural elements found in suburban settings, such as tree bark, grass blades, and glass/ light patterns. These color prints transform seemingly mundane suburban landscapes into dreamlike scenes, interspersing surface-level perceptions. By examining texture and light as pensive and heartfelt moments of the psyche, Washington's work creates a contemplative space within the exhibition.
The "Studies from Home" series includes works like "Four Sides of the Tree," "Grass," and "Window," which echo along the gallery walls, offering meditative moments that transcend typical associations with suburbia. For instance, the "Grass" series examines wave-like patterns in lawn grass, filling the frame and inviting viewers into a state of contemplation. Light plays a crucial thematic role in Washington's photographs, transforming ordinary suburban scenes into ethereal and introspective landscapes. By manipulating light, she highlights the hidden beauty and complexity within these environments, inviting viewers to perceive suburbia in a new, almost mystical way. Her use of light enhances the textures and patterns and evokes a sense of tranquility and reflection, encouraging a deeper connection with the natural elements she captures. The "Window" series captures sunlight appearing like ghosts on the walls of anonymous homes, hinting at something deeper beyond the surface.
In the context of the "Suburbia" exhibition, Washington's "Studies from Home" serves as a thoughtful counterpoint to the more overt critiques presented by other artists. While photographers like Martin Adolfsson highlight the eerie uniformity of suburban interiors and Jonathan Lewis focuses on the ubiquity of big box stores, Washington's work suggests that uniqueness and individuality can be found even in the most standardized environments.
By focusing on these intimate details from home environments, Washington reveals the hidden complexities and beauty within suburban landscapes, challenging viewers to reconsider their preconceptions about these oft-maligned spaces. In her work, she illustrates the notion that even within suburbia's apparent uniformity, moments of beauty and individual expression are waiting to be discovered by those who look closely.
Feaster, Felicia. “Suburbia.” Photograph, February 1, 2013 - March 16, 2013.
Dowda, Stephanie. “Review: Suburbia at Hagedorn Foundation Gallery.” May 2, 2013.