Tacoma Arts In Review - Progression: Photographic Images on the Theme of Transformation & Prints at Fulcrum Gallery

Through May 14

Fulcrum Gallery is one of the only reliable galleries in Tacoma for relevant and contemporary local artwork. The gallery is delightfully intimate; exhibitions are typically excellent and accessible. Current main attraction Progression: Photographic Images on the Theme of Transformation and Prints in the back room both showcase excellent local artwork, but the works selected and presented in Progression lack the relation and resonance I’ve learned to expect in a Fulcrum show. Happily, the select offerings in Prints reconcile this issue with a wonderful collection of affordable prints that are definitely worth seeing.

Progression: Photographic Images on the Theme of Transformation showcases the work of five very different artists, bound together loosely by the concept of “transformation”. The works vary in visual intensity, and the resulting show is somewhat mismatched. The large-format, full-color photographs by John Fisher and Jason Ganwich are impressive and flashy, the process of their construction intricate and conspicuous. Images by Morgan Bailey and Kristin Giordano are much quieter – moments uncovered and captured by keen observation instead of through the invention of new images, as seen in Fisher and Ganwich’s works.

Jessica Uhler’s macro photographs of decaying surfaces appear as abstracted compositions and fall somewhere between loud and understated, but do not connect with the rest of the representational work. Much of the artwork in Progression is intriguing, but in the gallery’s small space, the different collections fight for viewing appeal, making the viewing experience a little disjointed.

Giordano’s photographs gracefully steal the show. At first, they appear constructed, a series of miniatures manipulated to look like otherworldly cityscapes. In actuality, each photograph was taken during Giordano’s two-year stay in Doha, Qatar.

Abandoned Spaceship #2 is an especially beautiful, surreal image. As explained in the artist statement, it shows an “abandoned, alien-looking building” that is a complete mystery in form and function. The crisp center contrasted with the soft, unfocused bottom third of the photograph allows the viewer to move in and out of the image; it is as if the edge is melting or falling away. This great range of focus gives the photograph a disconnected feel in the loveliest way, while building upon the strangeness of the subject matter.

While visiting Progression at Fulcrum, be sure to wander into the back room, where a collection of photographs and prints is available. Prints is a real treat, not to be missed by anyone interested in good, affordable artwork. Ranging between $10 and $40, they include one-of-a-kind photographs and prints of images by three local artists: Kristin Giordano, Sean Alexander, and Maria Jost. Prints will be available through the end of the month and probably longer, according to owner Oliver Doriss. If you do miss it, be on the lookout for excellent, affordably priced works at Fulcrum in the future. It is a great way to collect and support local art on a budget.

Fulcrum Gallery
1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Tacoma, WA 98405
Open Thurs, Fri, & Sat 12-6 pm
253 250 0520
www.fulcrumtacoma.com