STUART SCHWARTZ ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY

The current exhibition of photographs by Stuart Schwartz at The Image Flow Gallery includes 17 large abstract photographs with mixed media are sometimes mistaken for paintings at first glance. The artist went beyond just “taking a picture” and manipulating in the digital realm.  Instead, he reconnects to the photographic process by adding a handmade element back into the image by using layers of resin to create visual depth.  The images themselves were often shot as abstracts and then manipulated in Photoshop.  A few were further manipulated after printing by distressing the surface of the print with a variety of components, which left a scuffed or modeled surface.  Many of the prints are mounted on plywood, coated with sealer before applying resin, the resin was then treated to remove the sheen.  More images are at http://theimageflow.com/gallery/photo-abstracts/