Upstate NY Photography Renaissance Ignites

The Upstate Photography Biennial, hosted by the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW), illuminates a vibrant photography scene flourishing outside traditional art centers. Curated by Marina Chao and Adam Giles Ryan, the exhibition features 39 artists selected from an open call, reflecting CPW's belief in the significance of work produced regionally.

While lacking a predefined theme, the biennial’s selections repeatedly touch upon concepts of displacement, diaspora, migration, and fragmented histories. Artists like An-My Lê, with her series "Trap Rock" exploring warfare's mise-en-scène, and Meryl Meisler, documenting queer nightlife since the 1970s, showcase a diverse range of subjects and perspectives.

The exhibition also highlights a return to analog technologies and socially engaged art. Morgan Gwenwald’s work, including a series where she taught women to shoot rifles, and Lyle Ashton Harris’s early self-portraits from his "Hours and Days" series, underscore the intimacy and historical depth present in contemporary photography.

Running until September 6, the Biennial offers an entry point into the breadth of creative expression in upstate New York, with artist talks and a catalog launch planned. The exhibition emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of photography in response to current conditions.