I had recently checked the new exhibition at the Else Gallery which featured CSUS Anthropologist and artist Valerie Wheeler. I had found out that she had passed away in January of this year, which was very saddening news. Though I never knew her personally, she was someone I would often see around Kadema hall. The exhibition was put on not only to show her work as an artist, but also as a celebration of life. Having read about about her from her obituary, she had lead very fascinating life and showed much determination as well. Her childhood was spent on farms in Michigan and Ohio and later went to college at the University of Nebraska and earned her PhD in Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Having taught at Sacramento state for over 40 years, Wheeler also had a major passion for photography and received an additional masters from Cal State in photographic art.
Some of Valerie's photographic works are influenced by rural areas like farms and country homes. I really loved this one she had done of the old farm (right).
As a child she was raised on farms in both Ohio and Michigan which must have been a very major influence for her photography. She partly owned a 200 year old family farm with other family members including Thomas Edison's sister (whom Edison had been a great-great uncle of hers).
Besides photography, another part of her work also included print making. She used traditional platinum printing techniques which had also been considered to be very rare. In doing this, she was able to create black and white art photographs on a variety of subjects. (Detail of print below).
I particularly really liked this print, as it was somewhat reminded me of a Baroque cathedral (above). I have always been fascinated by pipe organs and this print seemed to resemble one, though I am not certain if it is or not, as I had not seen a title plaque around this piece.
Awkward selfie of me.
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