Chris Maliga: Lamenting Echo

December 5-30, 2018
Opening Reception: Friday, December 7, 2018, 5:30-8:00 pm
Artists' Reception: Saturday, December 29, 2018, 4:00-6:00 pm

The photographs in Visiting Artist Chris Maliga's exhibition, Lamenting Echo, are excerpted from his series titled Dominion which he began developing in 2011 in the aftermath of a physically and emotionally traumatic period in his life. Over time, the production of these photographs became a part of Maliga's recovery process, aiding in his ability to regain self-agency. Working with an 8x10 inch view camera, Maliga ventures in solitude into secluded natural environments, often under inclement weather conditions. After considerable physical exertion and exposure to the elements, he is able to approach his surroundings with a heightened sense of awareness, seeking out subject matter left otherwise unseen. Photographing in seclusion, Maliga incorporates his own body into the environment, challenging his personal discomfort as he inserts his form into the frame. Letting nature take its course, he often makes the unusual choice to allow rain, snow, and other particles to interact with the film, leaving behind a chemical imprint that is often processed into the finished photograph. In presenting these images and his experiences in a public setting, it is Maliga's hope that the work contributes to an open dialogue about trauma and healing.