The UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum presents Great Basin Exteriors: A Photographic Survey, July 12 - Sept. 14.
The exhibition of 30 photographs by regional artists Adam Jahiel, Daniel Cheek and Nolan Preece examines loss, change and abandonment in the American West. The three photographers featured in the exhibit have independently concentrated on the documentation of subjects that are changing or rapidly disappearing from the Western landscape.
Geologically, the Great Basin is part of the Basin and Range Province that covers most of Nevada and more than half of Utah, as well as parts of California, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming. Jahiel's photograph of cowboys in Northern Nevada poignantly illustrates both this rugged way of life and its marginalization in contemporary society. Cheek's work celebrates the spaciousness of the Great Basin, which is then juxtaposed with small intrusions in the landscapes indicative of a changing West. Preece examines the rustic patina that is diminishing with restoration and development across the Great Basin.
The work of each photographer reflects a distinct style and technique, perfected during careers as highly regarded professional artists. Jahiel uses the platinum print to archive and preserve his images for the future. Cheek works with an 8 x 10 camera to reproduce the rich color of the Great Basin on chromogenic photo paper. Preece combines large format and digital cameras to produce black and white and color images of high quality.
This exhibit was organized by the Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Great Basin Exteriors: A Photographic Survey is part of the Nevada Touring Initiative - Traveling Exhibition Program and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nevada State Legislature.
For information about the exhibition, or for information on other upcoming events and exhibitions at (702) 895-3381 or barrick.museum@unlv.edu.
