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Laurie Pruitt • Profile
Laurie Pruitt acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from Western Michigan University in the early eighties. Her award winning images have earned her publication in the March 1995 and November 1995 issues of Photo Metro Magazine as well as two Photography Magazine summer editions.
Mysterious and atmospheric photographs reveal the transcendental presence of the spiritual through an intimate examination of the physical world. Her artwork invites the viewer into mystical narratives of solitude and stillness, where the found image becomes a dialogue with the sacred.
"As modern people of the 20th century, we are largely separated from a symbolic life. In this era of high-tech communication systems, I have questions about what is lost." - L. Pruitt
Laurie Pruitt • Statement
I have been making photographs for over 20 years. It has always been a process of exploration into the unknown. Through this work, I find an opening into receptivity, which makes possible a response to the dimension of living experience. There is a parallel universe through metaphor, which transcends the literal interpretations of our life situations.
This work has been deeply personal, and yet is not about "me".
Images are reflective; anything can be a mirror.
It is through these mirrors, in the landscape, in every day objects, in the life of small things, through the distillation of memory, that I may enter into presence and quietude, in order to notice what is often overlooked; vibrations of the eternal, in the moment. Paradoxically, my work is about photographing the invisible, through the vessel of the imagination. Small moments, noticed, stir and expand reverie. I am intrigued by what grows out of the ordinary, then transcends it; those moments where the material and spiritual realms overlap, those moments where we accumulate silent things within us.
We respond to beauty with emotion, and it speaks to the mystery of life. "Not knowing" is an important aspect of inspiration, because it frees me of concepts, attitudes, definitions, and points the way to discovery. I always begin "there", in a place of "not knowing", and wait for the image to appear, as resonance, rather than understanding.
As modern people of the 21st century, we are often separated from a symbolic life. In the midst of high tech communication systems, I have questions about what is lost - giving value to simple forms of exchange, through relationship, through finding intimate connections, through free association and subtle observations, through the symbolic language of perception, as it moves with creative impulses, and is brought into form, as expression, as response.
Laurie Pruitt • Biography
EDUCATION
2002
Women's Studio Workshop, Rosendale, New York; Coptic Relative Bookbinding and Letterpress
2001
Penland School of Crafts, Spring Concentration: Alternative photo processes, Paper and Bookmaking Studio; Anna Tomczak, Phil Parker
1995
Lilo Raymond Photography Workshop
1992
Michael Kenna Photography Workshop
1990
Sarah Moon Photography Workshop
1989
Lucien Clegue Photography Workshop
1983
Bachelor of Arts: Major in Photography, Minor in Dance; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2003
"Holiday Muse," Group Exhibition, LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2002
Three-Person Exhibition, "Personal Possessions," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Group Exhibition, "Fifteen Years," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ten-Year Retrospective, "Out of the Valley," Southwest Michigan College, Dowagiac, Michigan
Solo Exhibition, Juniata Museum of Art, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Three-Women Exhibition, "Quiet Strength," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Faculty Exhibition, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
2001
Group Exhibition, "Winter Presents", LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2000
Area Exhibition, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1999
"Object of my Affection," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1998
Three-Person Exhibition, "People, Places & Things," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Metamorphosis," LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
1997
Ten Year Gala Event, LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Area Exhibition, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
1996
Group Exhibition, "Eight from Michigan," Schaff Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Solo Exhibition, The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Plaza Gallery, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Solo Show, "A Silent World," The Print Club, Center for Photography and Prints, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Center for Photography at Woodstock, New York
1996
"80th International Competition," Exhibition Award, The Print Club, Center for Photography and Prints, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"'96 Area Show," Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
1995
Photo Metro, Annual Competition, San Francisco, California
"'95 Area Show," Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
"Photo National II Competition," Michigan Friends of Photography, Ella Sharpe Museum, Jackson, Michigan
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association, Birmingham, Michigan
Community Arts Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Traverse City Arts Council, Traverse City, Michigan
Sisson Gallery, Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, Michigan
"All Media Show," Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan
1994
Solo Exhibition, "Stillness, Walks," Shibui Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Solo Exhibition, "Poetics of Space," Arts Council of Kalamazoo, Michigan
"Focus '94," Battle Creek Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
1993
"Second Annual Photography Show," Water Street Gallery, Saugatuck, Michigan
"All Media Show," Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Michigan
"'93 Area Show," Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Fourth Place Award
1992
Group Exhibition, "Three Photographers," Water Street Gallery, Saugatuck, Michigan
"Kalamazoo Area Show," All Media, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
"Focus '92," Battle Creek Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
St. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan
"Michigan Competition for the Arts," Battle Creek Arts Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
1991
Michigan Competition for the Arts, Battle Creek Art Center, Battle Creek, Michigan
Alternative Processes, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
SELECTED HONORS AND PUBLICATIONS
1995
Photo Metro, Annual Competition, November Issue
Photo Metro, Publication of Photography, March Edition, San Francisco, California
1994
The Photo Review, National Publication of Photography, Summer Edition
1993
The Photo Review, National Publication of Photography, Summer Edition
1998
to Present Invited to be on the faculty at The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan
2002
Invited to teach summer workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, Pennsylvania
Fetzer Foundation, 2002 Publication
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
- Nokomis Foundation
- Fetzer Foundation
- Juniata College Museum
