Dates:                          February 28 – March 22, 2019

Reception:                   Thursday, March 28, 2019. 5-8 pm

Gallery Talk:               tbd

Using photographic media as a foundation for their work, the seven artists in Settlers convey, figuratively and abstractly, the colonization of the American southwest. Whatever their motive and means—most came voluntarily, others were forced or coerced—the occupation of indigenous land is something that continues with every wave of Colorado “native” and newcomer.

 Collectively, the images in the show represent settlers from the late-19th century to the present decade. Looked at from a Native American perspective, these people might be thought of as alien invaders. Settlers is not a judgment of this, but it is a reminder that for every “new” territory there is an old, stolen one.

 The show's deliberate ambiguity is intended to kindle subjective associations and tangential connections. Settlers takes place during the 2019 Denver Month of Photography and works have been selected to align with the range of art-making conducted at Art Gym, most especially print-making. All the artists are from the Denver metro region; their works span more than 60-years of artmaking, 1950-2015.

Rupert Jenkins, Guest curator.

Artists:

Sarah Gjertson            “Human Imprint” series. Monoprints, handmade book, and sculptures.

Heather Oelklaus        “O.P.P. (Other People’s Photography)” series. Woven gelatin silver prints.

Sarah Fukami              “Manzanar Guayule Project.”  Laser cut screenprints.

Carl Iwasaki                War Relocation Authority images. Digital prints from archival files.

Tya Anthony               “Foremother.” Mixed-media installation.

James Milmoe             “Cemetery” series. Gelatin silver prints.                               

Christopher Perez       Portraits. Gelatin silver prints.