Photo show opening at Kehler Liddell Sunday

Kehler Liddell Gallery
873 Whalley Ave., New Haven, (203) 389-9555
Israel at 60: Time and Diversity
Apr. 3—27, 2008
Opening Reception: Sun., Apr. 6, 2—5 p.m.

Press release

Kehler Liddell Gallery is proud to present a photographic portrait of diversity in Israel. This ancient land of the "chosen people" has today given way to a population of multifarious origin and religious orientation that is both the promise of-and impediment to-a secure and harmonious future. In recent trips, independent of each other, photographers Hank Paper and Marjorie Wolfe used techniques of street and landscape photography to capture the texture and state of Israeli life today. The exhibition entitled Israel at 60: Time and Diversity will be on display from April 3-27, 2008.

Israel's blue light and golden stone stands witness to more than 3,000 years of recorded history. Today it finds many rivers running turbulently indifferent directions, often at cross purposes, yet hopefully toward a common and tranquil sea. This exhibition is not an exercise in immediate journalism or contemporary conflict, instead it is a portrait of what the country was and of the people today going about their spiritual, vocational, and recreational business in a democratic land.

Hank Paper is a new member at the Kehler Liddell Gallery; this will be his first show at the location and his second exhibition in collaboration with Marjorie Wolfe. Paper has photographed around the world and has had work featured in a variety of publications including Art in New England, Hassadah Magazine, The San Francisco Examiner, and The L.A. Times Sunday Magazine. He has curated an exhibition at ALL Gallery in New Haven and shown at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Paper's photographs range from the whimsical, to the contemplative and melancholic, but always portray their subject matter with insight, dazzling color, and light.

The highly textured and vividly colored photographs of Israeli street happenings by Marjorie Wolfe are a departure from her previous subjects which allowed for slow, precise, and formal capturing. The rapidity of the memories and activities swirling around forced Wolfe to do away with her tripod and instead walk and shoot as the country unveiled itself in front of her. In her vibrant photographs, Wolfe conveys the bright colors of the Neve Tzedek and Jerusalem Arab tunnels, the soft light of the Dead Sea and harsh textures of the desert, the sounds of language and traffic, the aromas of seas and spices, and the clash of high-rise modernity against the ancient ruins of Masada and Caesaria.

The public is welcome join the artist and community in celebration of the artist reception on Sun., Apr. 6, from 2—5 p.m. at the Kehler Liddell Gallery, located in Westville Village at 873 Whalley Ave. There is no admission fee for the gallery or reception. Hours of operation are Thurs.—Sun., 11 a.m.— 4 p.m. and by appointment. Further information on the gallery and Hank Paper can be seen online at www.kehlerliddell.com.