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September 18, 2012

UNITED SOUTH END SETTLEMENTS ANNOUNCES

The Pillars: Photography by Thaddeus Miles

Exhibition: October 1 – November 21, 2012

Reception: October 17, 2012 6 – 8 pm

[Boston, MA] United South End Settlements’ (USES) Harriet Tubman Gallery is pleased to present a glimpse into photographer Thaddeus Miles’s 365 Project which highlights four main areas of focus with the upcoming exhibition: “The Pillars” on view October 1 – November 21, 2012. Miles uses the camera’s aperture as a doorway into a world of possibilities exclaiming, “Each artistic endeavor is built upon the four pillars of my identity. Each pillar bound within its own duality.” Working as Director of Public Safety at MassHousing, Miles has always had a long engagement with people and the community addressing quality of life issues, so it’s not surprising that one of the four “pillars” explores People & Community. The 365 Project also explores the “pillars” of Family & Ancestry, Faith & Spirit and Nature & Landscape each evolving at their own pace while remaining a work in progress. Miles explains: “My intention is to share a deeper experience with my audience with exhibits that focus on each separately and more intensely.”

What began as a personal dedication to increase a level of skill in his photography has now led Miles on an intimate journey to reveal a shared terrain of natural beauty. The 365 Project captures a moment in time each day, which Miles posts regularly on his blog - http://thaddeusmiles365.wordpress.com -inviting the viewer to keep an open mind and interpret the image in our own way. Nonetheless, each of the four pillars does in fact remain a very intentional exploration into the self. Miles says, “I become a cartographer of sorts - not merely documenting, utilizing photography to help me navigate my personal and public history.”

You are invited to share this perspective capturing the harmony, composition, and gestures during a reception on Wednesday October 17, 2012 from 6 – 8 PM at 566 Columbus Avenue, Boston MA 02118, sponsored in part by Mt. Washington Bank. Light refreshments will be available as the public emerges with new insight and perspective.

The Harriet Tubman Gallery showcases a range of diverse, cultural and community-driven works that foster a strong sense of neighborhood appreciation where all individuals are welcome. Located at 566 Columbus Avenue in Boston’s South End, the Harriet Tubman House is open to the community and hosts a range of programming for adults and seniors. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 8 pm. The Gallery is wheelchair accessible and limited meter parking is available in the area.  Only a 5 minute walk from the Massachusetts Avenue Orange Line stop or the #1 and #43 buses.

For more information please visit United South End Settlements website at www.uses.org or contact Chelsea Revelle, Director of Arts & Culture at 617-375-8159.

The Pillars: Photography by Thaddeus Miles

Day 134 of 365

Artist Statement:

The camera’s aperture is a doorway into my world of possibilities. Each artistic endeavor is built upon the four pillars of my identity. Each pillar bound within its own duality. I have begun the process of recording images for some of these pillars and others remain a work in progress. My 365 Project highlights examples from each area and my intention is to share a deeper experience with my audience with exhibits that focus on each separately and more intensely.

About the Exhibition:

The first pillar joins Family and Ancestry. In each portrait of my family members I have a presence; the viewpoint, the perspective, and the contrast link me. I am a descendent of generations, not only of my family but the embodiment of the legacy of my people. As a photographer I take a chance to reclaim the narrative of my people, too often distorted, usurped, ignored and denied. Photography allows me to be the author of my own story. I become a cartographer of sorts- not merely documenting, utilizing photography to help me navigate my personal and public history.

The second pillar entwines Faith and Spirit. The prophet Jeremiah had faith that in the act of building- we could be rebuilt. With each creative challenge I find myself recreated. Taking in a world of wonder- every image that I encounter is first and foremost God’s image. At times taking pictures is a way to give thanks, a way to explore what it is being asked of me. When I take a picture, I embrace God’s own spirit of creation- where day after day, a new element emerged into the world to make it whole.

The third pillar of my photography embraces Nature and Landscape. Here, with my camera I am unencumbered by life’s daily demands, and hurts: the view of a lake, a waterfall, a spring, or the ocean; restores my hope and belief that “justice will come roaring down in a mighty stream (The Book of Amos).” With each photograph I can conjure up a moment of true peace. 

The entanglement of People and Community sustains the fourth pillar. At times a person appears in a cacophony of chaos, at times there are harmonies that binds us one to the other. I point, I click, I take in an image. The camera’s lenses deliver new insights, allowing me to see my Community from a different point of view. I can focus on a gesture, a pattern, a moment in time. I can treasure the details, the daily stories, song, dance and spirit of my Community. I find respite from the troubles and challenges we are so often up against and I can relax, focus, and connect. My photographs of my community take me beyond the everyday fragmentation of our society. I am attuned to the strength of spirit: resilient and resplendent- and in the words of the poet: “the drive to connect the dream of a common language (Adrienne Rich).” 

It’s said, “The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail (William Faulkner)”.  My photographs are my testimony to all that I witness. These four pillars guide me to my inner self and move me to create the visual structure that I share with you daily.   

The Pillars will be on view at the Harriet Tubman Gallery October 1 - November 21, 2012. Please join us for a reception sponsored by Mt. Washington Bank on October 17, 2012 from 6 - 8 PM.