In this fusion of my two series, Out of the Darkness and Enlightenment, I explore a common theme: the transformative power of light displacing the darkness. Light embodies wisdom, healing, and growth in humanity’s passage from the dark to light ages.
In the series Out of the Darkness, I transform lens-based source images from his travels into luminous and iridescent commemorative mandalas. The images juxtapose beauty and violence, light and darkness. These images are my response to the madness and chaos in the world. They also pay tribute to the victims of senseless hate and violence. Each piece is titled by the city, location, and the date of the event. It is up to the viewer to discover the connections.
My second series Enlightenment provides the viewer with a hopeful message in these dark and complicated times. Instead of greed, corruption, famine, and war, the viewer is reminded of humanity’s other offerings: charity, equality, social consciousness, wisdom, and civility. Each image acts as a beacon back to our humanity and a reminder that, with insight, empathy, and integrity, one can bring order to chaos – a light unto darkness.
Both series are similar in that the source images a very site-specific. I draw inspiration from the locations of my different travels. They differ in how the end image manifests itself. Out of the Darkness are orb-like structures that are multilayered and draw the viewer into the frame. Enlightenment is more photo-realistic and explores different sacred geometries. The manipulation is not limited to the confines of a circle.
Initially, I was only seeking images that would conform to my series, Out of the Darkness. Tragic events are the basis of these images. I use the manipulation of the source image to help me process the senseless violence in the world that surrounds me. When I’m working with the images, I’m able to lose myself. It’s therapy for me. I have to find the good and the beautiful in this chaotic world. I have to bring those elements back. The final manifestation would be a personal mandala that I could share with my viewers. This mind map has as its purpose to convey a sense of recovery, restitution and well-being.
However, in my travels, I was coming across many significant sites that were incredibly thought-provoking. Interesting architecture of important edifices demonstrated humankind’s slow but purposeful crawl from ignorance and corporeal needs to intelligence, empathy and understanding. In a desire to coexist in our world and to decode its mysteries, we attain ever-increasing levels of Enlightenment.
I am fortunate at the moment to have the time and resources to explore both series. I write blogs and create video vignettes to flesh out the ideas of the photographic expedition I am undertaking. So far, my efforts have been limited to North America, Europe and some of South America. However, it is my goal to continue this documentary work with images from other continents. [Official Website]
