FotoFocus 2022

BIENNIAL: World Record

Now in its sixth iteration, the 2022 FotoFocus Biennial encompasses more than 100 projects at Participating Venues across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, and Columbus, and features more than 600 artists, curators, and participants—the largest of its kind in America.

An ambitious collaboration between FotoFocus and the region’s museums, galleries, universities, and non-traditional spaces, the FotoFocus Biennial is a month-long celebration of photography and lens-based art that unites artists, curators, and educators from around the world. This year’s Biennial showcases major new artist commissions and a wide range of original exhibitions, events, and projects, all centered around the theme of World Record. The theme considers photography’s extensive record of life on earth, humankind’s impact on the natural world, and the choices we now face as a global community. 

Many venues are free and open to the public, but the Passport offers free access to exhibitions during the month of October; an invitation to members-only events; and entry into the FotoFocus Biennial Program Week, which features keynote lectures, talks and panel discussions with artists, curators and collaborators, screenings, receptions, and tours.

As part of FotoFocus 2022 my exhibit,“ A Record Of Disuse”, is a collection of photographic prints featuring objects that were once functional. Now worn, discarded, or repurposed, or even unrecognizable, the viewer may imagine what the original function could have been. The monochromatic bromoil process has been used to record, intensify and add interest to what remains.

To view this exhibit visit:

Xavier University Art Gallery in The Gallagher Student Center
3800 Victory Pkwy
Cincinnati, OH 45207
(513) 745-3811

Beginning October 1st 2022

Of the 20 plus prints in this exhibit were collected as I explored neighborhoods around Cincinnati. Discarded items found in Hyde Park, Mt Lookout, Over The Rhine, Camp Washington, and Columbia Tusculum are included.

As an example, Thermostat, the outdated wall mounted thermostat, cover removed, internal mechanisms frozen in layers of white paint, reveals elements of design that remain providing aesthetic value. In Columbia Tusculum Plates, the use of automotive license plates from years past provides a decorative element and historic record to a neighborhood fence. Sawblade, photographed in situ, challenges the viewer to contemplate how it came to be cast off and for what purpose it was being used.