"Everything Is A Portrait"
Lucien Freud
Many years ago, my granddaughter asked me when I decided to become an artist. I responded that - I just am; it is part of my being. There is no choice. Being an artist is both a gift and a burden. My decision is how to utilize this passion within me. How can this urge deep inside me do some good and have a positive impact? I am guided by three words: Relevance, Empathy and Respect.
residents who live in local nursing homes and recording their stories. This series of portraits was exhibited in various venues including the Camera Club of New York. My attention became focused on three things: life in a nursing home, the residents’ outlook on their lives, and the wisdom they had to offer us. I found therein a new and inspiring path that drew upon my photographic experience and that opened my eyes and mind to new insights.
Now, I am of the age of those who resided in the nursing home. As they did, I am looking around me and focusing on the unique beauty in the simple common things I see all the time. Before I push the shutter in my analog camera, I think about the sitter, the site, and the light, and I ask for guidance from the great Masters and the Muses. My viewpoint is that when I photograph the subject, it is not about me but about everything else. A mountain is a mountain; a plant is a plant; a city is a city; a person is a person. Each subject has its own presence and spirit. My focus now is Leaving Behind. I want to stay attached to every image I take, whatever the subject because all these people and things I have observed and recorded, I will have to leave behind.
Within the year of posting Leaving Behind, significant events have happened to enhance my perspective. Leaving Behind is more than my personal uplifting and precious experiences. There is an ominous side to each photograph and what it represents. I have begun a special environmental project partially funded by the Puffin Foundation. My focus now is climate change which has been a significant environmental issue for decades.
Climate change is now becoming a climate crisis as recent events have demonstrated. My project is to revisit one of the most important highly valued natural gas mining spots in Pennsylvania and to capture its impact and change in the community in northern Susquehanna County. Fourteen years ago was my last visit to this area, and the change in landscape is powerful. This project is structured in four acts and includes a prologue and an epilogue. Through this visual production, I am adding to my Leaving Behind legacy.
Over many year, a series of circumstances have inspired me to apply my photographic skills to reveal the humanity and contributions of various members in our communities. I began a portraiture of
Within the year of its first posting, events happen. Leaving Behind is more than my personal uplifting and precious experiences. But it can also be ominous. I have begun a special environmental project partially funded by the Puffin Foundation. It is in its early stages.
Climate change is becoming a climate crisis as recent events have demonstrated. My project is to revisit one of the most important highly valued natural gas mining spots in Pennsylvania and to capture its impact and change in the community in northern Susquehanna County from my last visit 14 years ago. This project is structured in four acts and includes a prologue and an epilogue.
Now, I am of the age of those who resided in the nursing home. As they did, I am looking around me and focusing on the unique beauty in the simple common things I see all the time. Before I push the shutter in my analog camera, I think about the sitter, the site, and the light, and I ask for guidance from the great Masters and the Muses. My viewpoint is that when I photograph the subject it is not about me but about everything else. A mountain is a mountain; a plant is a plant; a city is a city; a person is a person. Each subject has its own presence and spirit. My focus now is Leaving Behind. I want to stay attached to every image I take, whatever the subject because all these people and things I have observed and recorded, I will have to leave behind.
in our communities. I began by portraiture of residents who live in local nursing homes and recording their stories. This series of portraits was exhibited in various venues including the Camera Club of New York. My attention became focused on three things: life in a nursing home, the residents’ outlook on their lives, and the wisdom they had to offer us. I found therein a new and inspiring path that drew upon my photographic experience and that opened my eyes and mind to new insights.
People presents a series of portraits that delve into the depths of human emotions that capture the essence of subjects, allowing viewers to connect with the stories behind each face.
A Collection of Works
Places is a collection of locations that evoke a sense of serenity and tranquility. Each piece is a unique exploration of color, texture, and form, capturing the essence of nature's beauty.
Special Environmental Project focuses on destruction and continuity, resulting in captivating and thought-provoking compositions creating visually dynamic artwork.
SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
Objects reveal the beauty of ordinary subjects inviting viewers to appreciate the simple joys found in the world around them.
Education
PENUMBRA FOUNDATION, NEW YORK
ZIATYPE, PLATINUM/PALLADIUM, CYANOTYPE, COLLIDIO CHLORIDE, ALBUMEN, TINTYPE
GROLIER CLUB OF NEW YORK GROUP SHOW
2023
Exhibitions
INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY, NEW YORK
PORTRAITURE, ADVANCE PRINTING IN BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, NEW YORK
BASIC DARKROOM TECHNIQUES
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY STEINHARDT SCHOOL
MASTERS OF ARTS, ARTS ADMINISTRATION
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
GRADUATE SEMINARS IN 14TH & 17TH CENTURY ITALIAN PAINTERS
COURTAULD INSTITUTE OF ART
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
BACHELOR OF ARTS, ART HISTORY, MUSIC HISTORY
THE ARTS SOCIETY OF KINGSTON KINGSTON, NY
2021
PHILADELPHIA ART ALLIANCE GROUP SHOW
1975
VINCENT KLING ARCHITECTS
1972
THE NATIONAL ALPINE MUSEUM OF SWITZERLAND
1998
CAMERA CLUB OF NEW YORK
2001
SOHO PHOTO GALLERY GROUP SHOW
2025
Contact
margeryschab@gmail.com