Artist Statement

JOHN BACK

Born in Wisconsin, the photographer has a BS in Art from the University of Wisconsin and a MFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has lived and worked in the New York City area since 1980 and currently lives in Barryville, New York, while still maintaining a photography studio in Greenwich Village. Back has had solo exhibitions at the Perimeter Gallery, Chicago IL, at J. Walter Thompson, NYC, Burlington College, Pemberton NJ 1982; The Madison Art Center, Madison WI and a 2-person Exhibition at DVAA Narrowsburg, New York, Group Exhibitions.

Commercially the artist has photographed primarily Fine Art, Architecture and Design related objects. Among his clients were Pace MacGill, Pace prints, Chuck Close, Alfred Leslie, and the architects Haines Lundberg Whaehler, Beyer Blinder Bell, and NextDes. Back is included in public collections at The Center For Creative Photography; Tucson,AZ.: Bibliotechque Nationale; Paris,France: George Eastman House; Rochester, NY and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; Madison, Wi.

Two of John Back’s series are included here at the Lodge exhibit: variations of “Sticks & Leaves” and the “Fringe” series. Standing outside the artist’s studio we witnessed one of John’s favorite subjects, the stunning native Fringe tree: lovely soft fronds lilting before us. Examining John’s work one understands that he observes, explores and reflects on the miracle of that tree’s transformation in every angle and every season. We are excited to bring his vision here to the Lodge.