David Gibson

Exhibit: "Ephemeral Moments" (Main Gallery)
Dates: March 8 - April 25, 2008
29 Works: Photographic Prints

David H. Gibson

Photographic Print: "Ephemeral Moments #837"
(Ultrachrome K-3 Archival Pigment Inks on Hahemuhle Photo Rag 308 Paper)
2008
60" x 40"

Artist’s Statement

"The work explores the ephemeral nature of moments in time. The basic elements of light, water, mist, smoke and fire are combined to create mysterious landscapes. These form uncertain and perhaps uncomfortable places that in a sense mirror our world of conflicts, stress, and upheaval. Throughout these photographs figurative elements excite discovery and speculation. Undetermined depths and vistas invite investigation. The work is grounded on the present moment and the excitement, uncertainty and beauty of the unexpected. Ephemeral Moments as a series evolved out of observations and experiences encountered in my landscape photography. Waterfall details photographed revealed the dynamics of the effect of changing light and water pattern variations. Photographing early morning mists shrouded then revealed space between trees and water. Minutes later an entirely new space emerges redefined. It is important to be still in the land so quiet events are recognized. The rising sun in a mist covered lake provided the unexpected discovery of the sun burning through the mist and then reflected in the water framed by water plants. Throughout my experiences in the land the unpredictable was the constant. These events encounters formed the foundation for the Ephemeral Moment series. During early part of my career I was a theatrical lighting and set designer. The early lighting work was for theater and experimental dance. Sets were created as sculpture for the interaction of the dancers and actors. These experiences had a huge influence on my landscape photographs. Light shapes and reveals form. The infinite qualities of light impacts our emotional response to a place or situation. The mysterious grips our heart by what is not revealed. The unexpected is created by unlikely combinations of the familiar. Gesture is illuminated and defied by the magic of light. Being quiet allows the poetry to be felt, observed and understood. Ephemeral Moments utilizes these discoveries to create photographic landscapes of the mind."

About the Artist & The Work

David Gibson (American,Born 1939) is a photographer living in Dallas, Texas. His photographic training is self directed and through workshop participation. His workshops were guided by Ansel Adams, Bruce Barnbaum, Paul Caponigro, Jay Dusard, Bill Elsey, Michael Kenna and John Sexton, under the auspices of Allen Street Gallery, Friends of Photography, Owens Valley Photographic Workshops and Western Photographic Workshops.

David has been involved in creating three dimensional environments throughout his professional career. After acquiring a masters degree in theater design and lighting at Trinity University, he first became a Resident Artist at the Dallas Theater Center, then Technical Director. Later he joined Peter Wolf Associates, Inc. to apply his theater training in professional theater, exhibits and commercial interiors. In 1976, David formed a company specialized in providing trade show exhibits, special marketing centers for real estate and museum exhibits. His company grew to be a major supplier of exhibits and specialized scale models. Locally, David designed the successful “Ramses the Great” exhibit for the Museum of Natural History and the “Catherine the Great” exhibit for the Dallas Historical Society. Greyhound Exhibitgroup purchased the company in 1986. The sale of it allowed him more time to pursue his photographic interests. Gibson's first public show was a solo one held at Eastman Kodak Marketing Education Center in Rochester, New York during January and February of 1990. His second one solo exhibition opened at Valley House Gallery in September 1990. They were followed by two museum shows in 1991 at Central State University Museum of Art in Edmond, Oklahoma and at Wichita Center for the Arts in Wichita, Kansas. Since then David has had over 30 one man exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions.