The Proximity of Mortality: A Visual Artist’s Journey Through Cancer
Photographs and writing by Stephen Starkman
This exhibition is the first in a new series focusing on books, with the goal of exploring the photo book, both as its own unique form and as an extension to an existing body of work. The series will revisit projects previously featured in exhibitions at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts and now available in book form along with new work and approaches to artist books and the photo book.
To start off, this year’s presentation features Stephen Starkman’s remarkable book, Proximity of Mortality in the Focus Gallery. For this exhibition we will be reconstructing Stephen’s book on the walls of the gallery rather than just exhibiting the photographs used in the book, as has been done so many times before. The installation will follow Stephen’s narrative and pacing while including the carefully crafted layouts created by book designer, Matthew Papa. For this first in this exhibition series, we are starting at the end and working back toward the beginning. Proximity of Mortality was conceived from the very beginning as a book and not as a series of photographs to be exhibited in a gallery. We are attempting to take the book apart and turn it into a gallery exhibition. Our goals are to explore the difference between a book and an exhibition, to highlight the collaborative process of working with a designer or editor, how pacing, scale and the use of text can all function together to help a powerful statement connect with a larger audience… we are also looking to place Stephen Starkman’s book into the communities where his story will have the most positive impact.
– David DeMelim, Managing Director
The Proximity of Mortality, is being presented in tandem with In the Mind’s Eye, constructed photographs by David DeMelim, Managing Director of the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts
View the installation in full 360˚
The Proximity of Mortality: Stephen Starkman
Solo Exhibition in the Focus Gallery
Opening Reception: August 17th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., part of Gallery Night Providence
Exhibition on View: August 17th – Extended through October 13th
Stephen Starkman
Artist Statement: Proximity of Mortality
This Book.
This Book is my Proof.
Proof to the world that I existed and that i made a difference
outside of my family, outside of the career I chose to practice.
No images are captioned.
This book is for you to reflect upon.
This is my Proof.
To interpret the photographs with your own heart.
What you feel. What you think. Whatever it evokes in you. Or not.
It is for anyone with serious, life-threatening illness. Not just cancer.
It’s for those who suffer from their illness and their family and
caregivers too.
It is for you, no matter how you may use or need it.
– Stephen Starkman
About Stephen Starkman:
Stephen Starkman is a visual artist based in Toronto, Canada. His work has been shown internationally and published in several book projects. Stephen strives to create bodies of work that exhibit a strong focus on aesthetic and creative values. Recently his interests have shifted towards internally driven emotional photographic explorations that evolve with every iteration. He is committed to personal growth and exploration and open to the new worlds which now abound… The was then, now Stephen is using his creativity and remaining time to spark a conversation based on his first-hand experience having been diagnosed with terminal cancer in the spring of 2021.
The Proximity of Mortality: A Visual Artist’s Journey Through Cancer
Photographs and Writing by Stephen Starkman & Book Design by Matthew Papa
Proximity of Mortality: Stephen Starkman
Solo Exhibition in the Focus Gallery
Opening Reception: August 17th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., part of Gallery Night Providence
Exhibition on View: August 17th – October 13th
Presented in tandem with In the Minds Eye, constructed photographs by David DeMelim, Managing Director of the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts
The RI Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
We are member supported, the first step to membership is registration – https://www.riphotocenter.org/registration Details on membership options can be found at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org
Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org
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