PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf

In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, photographer and educator Sage Sohier joins Sasha to discuss a lifetime of extraordinary work, including her recently published books Passing Time and Americans Seen (Nazraeli Press), featuring photographs made primarily in the 1980s. They also delve into Witness to Beauty (Kehrer Verlag), an intimate and moving portrait of Sohier’s mother alongside her two daughters—a project that embraces aging and the passage of time. Throughout the conversation, Sage shares her enthusiasm and thoughtful insights on staying open to new ideas and equipment, as well as the value of revisiting older work with fresh eyes. https://sagesohier.com https://www.instagram.com/sagesohier/ Sage Sohier (b. 1954, Washington, D.C.) grew up in Virginia and received her BA from Harvard University in 1975. She is a Boston-based photographer who has published eight monographs, including “Americans Seen,” (Nazraeli Press 2017 and 2024), “Passing Time,” (2023), and “Witness to Beauty” (Kehrer 2017). She is the recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. Sohier’s work has been included in group shows at the Museum of Modern Art, NY, the International Center of Photography, the Art Institute of Chicago, and in solo shows at Joseph Bellows Gallery, Robert Klein Gallery, Foley Gallery, Blue Sky Gallery, and The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. Her work is in numerous collections including the Museum of Modern Art, NY, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She has taught photography at Harvard University and Wellesley College, and has done commissioned work for the George Gund Foundation in Cleveland, the Robert Rauschenberg Residency program in Captiva, FL, as well as editorial work for numerous publications

In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, renowned photographer Dana Lixenberg discusses the power of portraiture and how editorial autonomy enabled her to safeguard the portrayal of individuals featured in her work within marginalized communities. Lixenberg shares the origins of Imperial Courts, her seminal project documenting life in the Los Angeles housing project of the same name, and the deep relationship of trust she built over more than two decades of work there. The conversation also explores her iconic portraits of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, as well as her poignant book project, The Last Days of Shishmaref, which captures the lives of an Indigenous community on a disappearing Alaskan island. https://grimmgallery.com/artists/42-dana-lixenberg/ https://www.instagram.com/danalixenberg Dana Lixenberg is known for her stripped-down portraits that revel in the elemental characteristics of her subjects. She uses a large-format field camera – a cumbersome tool, which necessitates what the artist refers to as a ‘slow dance’ between her and her subjects. The resulting portraits contain an enormous amount of detail and texture, and are as revelatory as a personal encounter. The power of the work arises from its intimacy, compositional rigor and, importantly, the absence of social stereotyping. Lixenberg has been predominantly active in the United States, and her thorough understanding of the country and its society seeps through palpably in her work.  Besides her extensive editorial practice, for which she photographed many cultural icons, she pursues long-term projects with a primary focus on marginalized communities. These projects include Jeffersonville, Indiana (2005), a collection of landscapes and portraits of a small town’s homeless population and The Last Days of Shishmaref (2008), which portrays an Inupiaq community on an eroding island off the coast of Alaska. Lixenberg’s most extensive body of work to date is Imperial Courts, 1993-2015 (2015), which she begun in the aftermath of the 1992 Rodney King riots. Spanning 22 years, the project tracks the changing shape of an underserved community in Watts, Los Angeles. In contrast to the often one dimensional, sensationalized media coverage of this neighborhood, Lixenberg employs a more subdued and collaborative photographic approach. Like her other projects, Imperial Courts consists of a series of photographs and a publication. Exploring other media for the first time, Lixenberg also included audio recordings and created a three-channel video installation. The project was awarded the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize in 2017 and continues to be exhibited internationally.

Justine Kurland is an acclaimed artist known for her utopian landscapes and challenging narratives, while Marina Chao is a distinguished curator at CPW with a rich background in major art institutions. They delve into their collaborative exhibition, 'The Rose,' which celebrates feminist collage art as a means of expression and survival. The discussion highlights the contrasts in curatorial experiences from different renowned institutions and reflects on the transformative power of community in artistic practices. Themes of identity, collaboration, and the role of art in activism are also explored.

In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, Sasha sits down with photographer Harlan Bozeman to discuss his artistic evolution—from the casual nature of street photography to the immersive, collaborative, and activist approach he brings to his ongoing documentary series, Out the E. They also explore his newer project, Failure to Appear, a more introspective and formally abstract investigation into memory and Black culture. Harlan is thoughtful, honest, and generous as he reflects on both the triumphs and challenges of his complex artistic practice. https://www.harlanbozeman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/harlanbozeman/ Harlan Bozeman is an artist based in Central Arkansas, whose work confronts the erasure of Black legacies and centers on how this exploration influences one’s personhood. He received his M.F.A at the University of Arkansas, his Bachelor’s in Journalism at DePaul University, and attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 2023. Harlan is a 2024 Catch Light Global Fellow and is currently participating in the Magnum Foundation’s Counter Histories fellowship. Harlan Bozeman is Professor of Practice at Tulane University.

In this conversation, photographer Jamel Shabazz shares his journey capturing the essence of 1980s New York City. Known for his impactful street photography, he discusses how life experiences inspire his work and influence social change. He dives into his book, "A Time Before Crack," exploring its significance for his community. Jamel emphasizes the power of dialogue in photography, turning encounters into meaningful connections. His dedication to mentorship highlights the role of art in healing and uplifting individuals affected by trauma.

Christopher McCall, former Director of the influential Pier 24 Photography, reflects on the legacy of this pivotal space for photography. He discusses its 14-year history and the emotional impact of its closure. The conversation shifts to the importance of innovation for emerging artists, celebrating lesser-known photographers while navigating challenges in contemporary exhibitions. McCall emphasizes the rise of pop-up exhibitions and the critical role of mentorship, urging artists to take charge of their visibility and support each other in the vibrant photography community.

Bryan Schutmaat, an acclaimed photographer from Austin, Texas, shares his journey through the American landscape and portraiture. He unveils insights from his new book, 'Sons of the Living,' highlighting the dignity of marginalized communities along desert highways. The discussion dives into the misrepresentation of collaboration in portraiture and the ongoing nature of artistic work. Bryan also reflects on navigating creativity, the impact of time on artistry, and exciting future projects, including an exhibition at the Rijksmuseum.

Keisha Scarville, a Brooklyn-based photographer and professor, dives into her artistic journey, exploring themes of loss and identity. She discusses her thought-provoking book, weaving together archival imagery with personal narratives. Instead of viewing her work as discrete projects, Keisha embraces a holistic approach to storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of shadows in photography and the healing power of art, making a profound connection between creativity and personal experiences.

In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, Sasha is joined by photographer, publisher, and educator, Ed Panar. They delve into "Winter Nights, Walking" (Spaces Corners), a nightly walk through his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the cold winter months shot over a 10 year period. Ed also describes the evolution of his process as the photo industry moved from the film era to the digital era and how that affected his work. Ed and Sasha discuss their optimistic views of our very connected photo community and how Ed and Melissa Catanese helped grow that community with their imprint and former community space, Spaces Corners. https://edpanar.com ||| https://spacescorners.com/shop/p/winter-nights-walking-by-ed-panar Ed Panar is a Pittsburgh based photographer and bookmaker. Ed has published several photobooks including: Winter Nights, Walking (2023), In the Vicinity (2018), Animals That Saw Me Volume One and Volume Two (2011 and 2016), Salad Days (2012), Same Difference (2010), and Golden Palms (2007). His photographs and books have been exhibited internationally at venues including: The Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, MiCamera, Milan, The New York Photography Festival, The Cleveland Museum of Art and Pier 24 Photography in San Francisco. He is the recipient of a 2007 Artist Fellowship from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and in 2022 he relieved a Creative Development Award from The Heinz Endowments and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Ed is co-founder of the project space and publisher Spaces Corners. This podcast is sponsored by picturehouse + thesmalldarkroom. https://phtsdr.com

In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, Sasha engages in an honest and deeply personal conversation with photographer Christian Patterson. They delve into the creation of "Redheaded Peckerwood" (MACK) and his latest book, "Gong Co." (TBW Books & Éditions Images Vevey). Christian offers a thorough description of his intricate process and motivations for these long-term projects, providing nearly step-by-step insights. He also reflects on his years working with William Eggleston and the nuanced ways in which that experience did, and did not,  influence his artistic direction. http://www.christianpatterson.com  |||   https://www.instagram.com/christian.patterson/ CHRISTIAN PATTERSON was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and lives in New York, New York. His visually layered work has been described as novelistic, subjective documentary of the historical past, and often deals with themes of the archive, authorship, memory, place and time. Photographs are the heart of his multidisciplinary work, which includes drawings, paintings, objects, video and sound. Patterson is the author of four books, including Sound Affects (2008), Redheaded Peckerwood (2011, Recontres d’Arles Author Book Award), Bottom of the Lake (2015,Shortlist, Aperture-Paris Photo Book of the Year), and the forthcoming Gong Co. (2024). He is a Guggenheim Fellow (2013), winner of the Grand Prix Images Vevey (2015), a New York Public Library Picture Collection Artist Fellow (2022) and James Castle House Resident (2023). His work is in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), J. Paul Getty Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and his books are in many institutional artist book collections. He has lectured, mentored and taught widely. He is represented by Rose Gallery, Santa Monica, USA and Robert Morat Galerie, Berlin, Germany. This podcast is sponsored by picturehouse + thesmalldarkroom. https://phtsdr.com