Schneider Gallery  Contemporary Photography in Chicago's River North
Maria
2009
Silver Print
11 x 14 & 16 x 20 inches
A place so as to stay (2008-present)

A place so as to stay is about people and the ways in which they relate to, and are defined by, their environment.

The images are of people drawn to a particular activity, collection of objects, or place. While the people are portrayed in a physical space, the focus is not on their material possessions. Rather, the focus is that the creation of spaces and the pursuit of activities that make us feel alive and at home is a powerful and driving force. Yet, it is often understated and private. The quiet and unrelenting devotion of these people to their craft, their passion, or their home is what makes being allowed a glimpse into their world so compelling.

At its core, this work is an exploration of identity and how we come to realize, define, and eventually share who we are with others. By examining the ways that people construct, inhabit, and enjoy spaces, objects, and relationships, I am exploring a larger theme of how we each carefully define our existence in the world.
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