Art has the ability to connect people to experiences, events, emotions and places. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is undoubtedly a disaster that will take many years to overcome, both emotionally and physically, for the New Orleans residents who had to endure it.
At The Woods Gallery in Ketchum, New York City based photographer Will Steacy has brought together two series of photographs for his show, "The Human Stain," which will remain on exhibit throughout the month of January. This collection of images is a sampling of the power of the human spirit, like looking in a two-way mirror.
"An image and a photograph is nothing compared to what it is like down there, how it smells and how it feels," Steacy said. "One of the main reasons I wanted to go down there is the power of the image, and the power of photography can change people's creative awareness and understanding of things."
Steacy opened his show on Thursday, Dec. 28, to a very receptive Ketchum audience that still had strong opinions on this epic disaster ranging from personal connections to the region to political and humanitarian perspectives.
"New Orleans people are all over the place, and I had great conversations with those people and great response to the work," Steacy said. "It is all about the response, and I want people to see it and to recreate it."
Steacy is a young photographer who has already been recognized an artist to watch having been named "25 Under 25: Up-and-Coming Photographers" by the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. He has also had his photographs featured on CNN and shown in museums and galleries throughout the country.
"Lots of photographers ended up down there which is great because the way I see it there can't be enough attention," Steacy said. "I encouraged many of my friends to shoot down there, and everyone has a New Orleans series."
Compelled to photograph New Orleans, Steacy admitted that it took weeks to recover and process what he experienced from his shoots.
"It was not just a flood. There were many issues to understand, and I was in another world," Steacy said. "I have been doing everything I can to sit down with anyone, urban planners, architects, filmmakers and community activists. I also met with community leaders and politicians in New Orleans."
Steacy uses a large format view camera and shoots color negative film, which he prints as digital C prints.
"These are photographs of photographs as they were found, which may be similar to the change a person has experienced in life," said Deb Gellet of The Woods Gallery.
"Having photography in the gallery is a departure from its mission, but this gallery is very honored to have Will's work here." Gellet added. "The proceeds from the show are going to two different relief organizations in New Orleans, and the pieces are priced so people can own their own art. The gallery owners believe very strongly that we need to keep our focus on New Orleans and the rebuilding of the city."
Steacy would like to return to New Orleans because he believes it deserves a great deal of attention.
"It's been hard on me, and this is not an easy thing. This is the hardest project I have ever done," Steacy said. "All the projects I had ever done seemed like batting practice for this one."
Will Steacy at The Woods Gallery in Ketchum for the opening of his show ?The Human Stain.? Photo by David N. Seelig
