THE GALLERY AT STUDIO IX PRESENTS

LIGHT, LENS and imagination

the art of photomontage : works by paul stams

Opening Reception / Friday, June 6th, 5-7PM

Exhibit dates / June 6 - 29

Gallery Hours / M-F, 8-4, Sat & Sun 8-2 

Artist Talk  / Thursday, June 26th, 5-6PM

About the exhibit

I love art and I love making photographs.

I have found a way to express both in one image by layering and blending photographs creating a PhotoMontage.

These images when printed demonstrate what I see and feel as though I am painting with photos. Sometimes the images are surreal, sometimes not. Often they are a blend of what I experience while I am out with my camera ... disparate images that fuse well and manifest a visceral reaction in me. They exist only in my mind.

About the artist

Paul Stams is a photo artist. His roots are in NYC where he was influenced by visiting art museums with his mother. Favorite artists were Salvador Dali, Henri Magritte and Frida Kahlo.

In his 20's Paul was teaching in New York City and through a friend, photographer William Lulow, he developed an interest in photography. Working in black and white in a small darkroom he set up in a second bathroom he soon became enamored of creating montages by blending photographs.

Professional and family life precluded this artistic pursuit for about 30 years. When he retired from teaching, relocating to Charlottesville Virginia, he returned to his love of creating art through photography. The development of digital photography applications such as Lightroom, Photoshop and On One Photo RAW provided the necessary tools.