Events

ABOUT THE SHOW

By focusing on intimate details, photographer Jean Morrison Phillips brings the viewer into her inner world in her upcoming exhibition, Subtleties of Place: Quiet Observations 700 Feet or 7,000 Miles from Home. Photographs from her series, Silver Linings, and Traces of Serenity, Traces of Splendor, was on display at the Faulkner West Gallery at the Santa Barbara Central Library for the month of November, 2023.

From the dazzling opulence of temple ornamentation to the charm of doorstep vignettes, Jean’s images speak to a connection with artisans past and present who share her passion for creating beauty. “These images transport you across the globe, bridging the gap between cultures and showcasing the universal pursuit of the beautiful,” says Donna Dufault, a collector of Jean’s work. “This show will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the world’s exquisite details.

The handcrafted prints in her Silver Linings series feature images made at the beginning of the pandemic. During this time, her family’s world shrank to home, yard and countless walks around the neighborhood with their young daughter. Making photos became an essential way to remain connected to her creative process and the outside world amidst the worry and uncertainty of that time.

“These prints, meticulously crafted on handmade khadi paper with layers of genuine silver leaf and Japanese conservation tissue, possess a unique depth and subtle sheen that needs to be seen in person.” says artist Jean Morrison Phillips.

Images in the Traces of Serenity, Traces of Splendor series were made in Thailand, and reflect Phillips’ experience of place-in this case one that was wholly unfamiliar to her. From walking quiet side streets to visiting impressive Buddhist religious sites, she was repeatedly drawn into small parts of the scenes around her and felt a kinship with the unseen makers who had created them.

Whether working in her own neighborhood or far from home, Phillips has an extraordinary talent for unveiling the overlooked, drawing your attention to the hidden treasures of our world. Her work revels in the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and tantalizing textures that often hide in plain sight.

The show opened on November 1 at the Faulkner West Gallery and ran through November 30. A reception was held on Thursday, November 2 from 5:30-8:00 p.m., and was open to the public.

Ms. Phillips holds a BFA in Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and has shown her work both nationally and internationally. For more about the artist and her work, please visit her website at www.jeanmorrison.com and follow her on Instagram at @jeanmorrisonphillips.

High-res photos from the show are available at right, and you can find additional biographical details here. You can also contact the artist directly if you would like any additional information.

About the Faulkner Galleries at the Santa Barbara Central Library

The Santa Barbara Central Library offers the Faulkner Galleries as a public space for art exhibitions. Individual artists are selected for solo shows though an annual juried process managed by the Santa Barbara Art Association on behalf of the library.