Art & Photography

Item Description

16" x 10" photo: giclee jet print on archival paper of Tuba Fats at Preservation Hall by signed by the photographer, Christopher Porche West.

Artist's Statement:

Porché West’s artful expresssions exists at the nexus of photography and sculpture, the point where photography and sculpture converge. Dramatic and thought-provoking photographs are “housed” within salvaged architectural elements adorned with thought-provoking, symbolic objects. The net effect is additive - the sum is greater than the parts - photographs encorported within sculpture deepen the meaning and message of the art.

It is Porché West’s contention that flat photographs fail to achieve the richness and dimensionality of photographic sculpture. Though a framed photograph can tell a good story, a photograph “housed” in sculpture gives a more nuances and deep narrative. Salvaged architectural debris door casings, flooring, window frames, knobs and pulls give the photograph a sense of place, an authenticity that comes from being at home in the soul of the artist’s works. 

Porché West’s assemblage is cultural “curatorialism” masked as art. The simple behaviors and beliefs of ordinary people are universal and easily understood. Religious faith, death and burial rituals, celebration and suffering are comprehended, if not shared, by all humanity. To see one’s own emotions in the face of a Haitian child or the hands of an elderly woman in New Orleans, is to be reminded that that which binds us together is greater than that which divides us. We are in essence, one. 

“This work is to bridge my vision of the world and my talents as an inquisitive craftsman. It is my sincere desire to make a contribution to the future of mankind by promoting the enrichment of our families, communities, and institutions with a transcendent gift of pluralistic understanding. I obtain great spiritual satisfaction by bringing together diverse elements of society through active, participatory knowledge. My commitment is to photo-documentary work because it is a historically recorded model for activating sensitivity for the possibility of a future of enhanced harmony, appreciation, tolerance and the perpetual maintenance of cultural diversity. Through this craft I seek to make my mark, my name and leave an epitaph of humanly good service.”

Item Special Note

Winning bidder responsible for shipping costs.  Local pick up available.