April 2011 - Raymond Meeks

CALENDAR

RAYMOND MEEKS

Goat Run Sycamore

March 31 to April 24, 2011

Ampersand is pleased to present a show by Portland photographer Raymond Meeks. Goat Run Sycamore brings together recent work & a body of photographs Meeks made while traveling Goat Run Honey Fork Road in Logan, Ohio during summer, 2010. Reflecting on the nature of this place, Meeks writes, "The road is like a religion I've returned to even as I'd sworn away any devotion to a prosaic, unbroken landscape and uninspired sky." The photographs are presented (were perhaps even made) in the context of a letter Meeks received from his father-in-law that summer. In it he describes a dream he had about Raymond's photography & the realization that dream inspired. It's a realization that inadvertently & aptly describes the dilemma a photographer faces while making work. "That was when I realized that Ray Meeks was given a talent," his father-in-law writes, "but only took pictures to primarily please his own eyes, and should be taking pictures to please other people's eyes and hearts. Based on that idea, I thought that you should take pictures of all types. (black & white, color, sepia, even put pictures on tee shirts.) To please more people. To go more places and take more pictures. But while you are taking those pictures, always keep your eye out for that perfect picture that belongs strictly for you."

Raymond Meeks is a photographer & book maker inspired by collaboration with writers of poetry & short fiction & the merging of visual & word narratives as metaphor. He has recently focused his efforts towards making artist books & journals in response to his immediate surroundings. Among these publications are nevermore (2008), middle air (2009), who will stay (2010) & amwell (2010), the last of which was also published by Nazraeli Press as part of their limited edition Six by Six series. Meeks has three other books published by Nazraeli, including Doctrine of an Axe: One Picture Book #54. His work has been exhibited in Paris, New York, Santa Fe, Atlanta & here in Portland at PDX Contemporary. Meeks lives & works in Portland, Oregon.