 Sara and I took some pictures of the neighbors chickens.
Press Release: Fish-Work at Sara Tecchia Roma New York
SARA
TECCHIA
ROMA
NEW YORK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
EXHIBITION:
FISH-WORK: Photographs by Corey Arnold
DATES: February 19 – April 4, 2009
RECEPTION FOR THE ARTIST: Thursday, February 26, 6-8 pm
Sara Tecchia Roma New York is extremely proud to announce the New York debut exhibition of photographer Corey Arnold. As a college student eager to travel and pay off his college loans, Arnold (b. 1976) soon realized that commercial fishing in Alaska could satisfy his appetite for adventure and financial stability. Over the past 13 years, he has made his living as a salmon fisherman and more recently a crab fisherman in the Bering Sea, a 3-4 month a year job that continues to this day.
Arnold’s images feed off and satisfy our natural voyeurism as the vivid images project the viewer into landscapes the average traveler will never directly experience. In this sense the work follows the legacy of the artists/explorers of the Hudson River School as well as Nineteenth Century photographers William Henry Jackson and Carleton E. Watkins. What sets Arnold’s work apart is the lack of personal distance that objective documentation requires. Arnold by the medium of straightforward film photography depicts his life story and those who are part of it: the daily grind (Opilio Morning), the necessary humor (Shitty Day) and the fearsome beauty (Gulf Crossing) associated with one of the world’s most hazardous professions. Most images are vignettes in which the viewer’s gaze renders she/he participant of the unfolding action: the swaying of the boat, the icy waters filling the deck, the frenzy to secure the prized king crab without suffering injury or harm.
Arnold is an Alaskan crab fisherman animated by a life long artistic project: to depict in a very humble fashion the power of the sea and the moods of those that have made living at sea their professional choice. The tiny men in their orange fishing gear cannot offer resistance to the force and magnitude of the open sea. Thus, one of the central ideas of Romanticism that wants Nature indomitable and unpredictable, as visually expressed by Caspar David Friederich and J.W. Turner, becomes again poignant in the 21st Century. In a post industrial world, Corey Arnold’s photographs function as a strong visual reminder not only of the beauty but also of the undeniable power that Nature holds against mankind.
In 2005, Arnold received an American Scandinavian Foundation grant for his ongoing Norwegian fisherman project. His work has been exhibited across the United States as well as in Norway, Canada, Japan and France. Recent publications include features in The Paris Review, Juxtapoz, Artweek, Italian Rolling Stone, Outside Magazine and an online presentation with National Public Radio. Fish Work will also be featured at Sara Tecchia Roma New York’s booth in the upcoming January 2009 edition of Arte Fiera-Arte First Bologna, Italy.
SARA TECCHIA ROMA NEW YORK | 529 W 20TH ST NEW YORK NY 10011 | 212 741 2900 | SARATECCHIA.COM
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THE COLLECTOR’S GUIDE TO EMERGING ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Humble Arts Foundation has been doing some great things these days…. Quite active they are in helping emerging photographers breakthrough to a larger audience. They’ve come a long way since I had my solo-show on their website and last humble released a limited edition print of mine and many others which managed to sell out through the site… so they seem to be finding ways to survive and help new artist folks at the same time. Just out via Humble is a book called The Collectors Guide to Emerging Art Photography. I haven’t seen it yet in person, but I think the concept is a good one. There are 163 photographers included and I believe that I’ve got a one pager inside. Get ’em while they’re hot!
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The Year in Review part 2: Road trip in Maui
I’ve been working a lot for a wonderful travel magazine based in Montreal, Quebec called En Route. In November, I flew to Maui with the very talented art director Reanna Evoy. The story was about a road trip on the dirty backroads to Hana in a red mustang convertible. I got a bit obsessed with shooting skimboarders and foam rolling in on the beach, but managed to snap a few other photos as well.
Below are some out takes that didn’t get published:
The mustang was embarrassing to drive around in, but practical nonetheless. (note Reanna’s mom in the back seat)
It just occurred to me that these verticals are so huge, you probably won’t fit them on your laptop screen.  I like ’em big so you don’t need to wear your glasses. That way, I can reach my target audience of 60-90 year olds.
Greyhound running fast.
We watched an 80 year old German man in a speedo wade out into the flat calm sea, when a 6 foot high set of shorebreak suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I had one of those “Do I shoot or help?” moments. I chose the latter but the pour guy took quite a beating. This girl made it out alive.
Here are a few of the tears that made it in print…
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The Year in Review part 1: Columbia Sportswear
2008 was a fun year… I was sent to incredible places for mag and ad assignments all year long. In the summer, I shot the “Pioneers of Columbia’s Greater Outdoors” Campaign for Columbia Sportswear. As I shot the still campaign, It was a honor to watch Stacy Peralta (Dogtown and Z-Boys, Riding Giants, Powell Peralta Skateboards) shoot the documentary spots for television during the same trips. Stacy is nice guy and a brilliant director. I used to ride his skateboards religiously when I was 11 years old.
Really good times out there in Galveston, Texas photographing the pioneers of tanker surfing (James Fullbright, Peter Davis, and John Benson) where we were nearly struck down by a massive lightning storm.
On Mount Hood in August, I shot the pioneers of Tundra Golfing, Jim Berg and Paul White Gorski. It was 80 degrees and we picture took atop a glacial canyon that began to rumble and crack… a bit sketchy but snow in August is hard to come by in this hemisphere.
Then we flew to Juneau, Alaska and rose by helicopter to a dog sledding camp on the Mendenhall glacier. We camped in huts on the ice and shot Rachel Scdoris, a hardcore musher that competes in the Iditarod and happens to be legally blind.
Oh, and last but not least we shot Dan Heaton in the Snoqualmie area, who is a great innovator in the sport of off Road Unicycling. The trips were so amazing that each one deserves a proper blog entry with photographs… but this is a start. Thanks to Butler, Stern, Shine and Partners who were a first rate agency to work with.
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The Paris Review and Fish-Work
I got a phone call from The Paris Review awhile back and they asked to publish some photos. Next thing I know, my pic is on the cover along with a nicely printed 17 pages of pictures from the Fish-Work series. Thanks Paris Review folks!!
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Fish-Work Opening tonight in Portland
My Fish-Work exhibition at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art in downtown Portland opens tonight between 5:30 and 8:30. Some members of the Rollo crew will be joining us. Come on out and say hello! A couple recent articles about the work can be found in this months Juxtapoz (12 page interview) and just out today a review in the Portland Tribune.
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Fish-Work Solo Exhibition in Portland
 
Press Release:
COREY ARNOLD: FISH-WORK
On view at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art, November 19 – December 20, 2008
Images Capture Moments of Vulnerable Grace and the Fisherman’s Unforgiving Lifestyle
Reception with the Artist: Thursday, December 4, 5:30—8:30pm
Portland, OR—Charles A. Hartman Fine Art is pleased to present Fish-Work by Portland-based artist Corey Arnold. These photographs capture moments from Arnold’s grueling annual retreats to the Bering Sea and arctic Norway. With scenes of boat life so vivid that some shots can induce fear or seasickness, the artist’s perspective also reveals the tender soulfulness of a fisherman’s extended life at sea. His skillful compositions depict the simultaneous bravery, toil, humor and gumption that “fish-work†demands. Yet the series also illuminates the aesthetic sublimity that can only be experienced, ultimately, by those willing to risk their lives where the sea breaks its back. Having survived several seasons afloat these icy and unforgiving waters, we are lucky that Arnold has taken time to document his artistic impressions of this rare lifestyle and extended us a vicarious glimpse.
A graduate of the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Corey Arnold lives and works in Portland, Oregon the nine months of the year that he is not fishing. He has exhibited his work across Canada and the United States, in addition to Norway, Japan and France. Recent publications featuring Arnold’s work include Rolling Stone, Adbusters, Juxtapoz, Giant Robot, Artweek, Outside and National Fisherman. With international attention beginning to gain momentum for this promising young photographer—Fish-Work, on view at Charles A. Hartman Fine Art, November 19 – December 20, 2008—is an opportunity to collect Arnold’s work before the secret is out.
Charles A. Hartman Fine Art presents contemporary and modern art that examines our world through subtle narratives. Since 1996, founder and director Charles A. Hartman has provided collectors with specialized access to fine art that reflects his consistently discerning lens. Creating a platform for both regional and international artists, the gallery advances aesthetics that are agile, historically relevant and uncompromising in quality. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11AM – 6PM, or by appointment.
Media Contact: Wendy Miller, wendy@hartmanfineart.net, 503.235.4681
High-resolution images, interviews and additional information are available upon request.
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New Books: Apenest Volume 2, Various Photographs
I was lucky enough to be included in two great photographer/art compilation books this year. Apenest Volume 2 was compiled by Cody Hoyt and Brian Willmont and packed with goodness from these lovely artists:
John Copeland, Denise Kupferschmidt, Justin B Williams, Sophia Dixon, Bill Dunlap, Corey Arnold, Andrew Schoultz, Joseph Hart, Cody Hoyt, Paul Wackers, Grimaldi Baez, Brian Willmont, Corey Corcoran, Fighting, Mark Chariker, Eddie Martinez, Jeremy + Claire Weiss, Anthony Sobiech, Elton Lovelace, Zac Scheinbaum, Deep Slumber Lake, Whitney Claflin, Eric Saline, Meghan Tomeo, Chris Wawrinofsky, Travis Neel, Rebecca Gordon, Suzy Coady, and Alex Lukas.
Various Photographs is the catalog for the exhibition of the same name, curated by Tim Barber for the 2008 New York Photo Festival. You can find at least 3 of my pictures in there. Tim’s kicking ass lately with the announcement of his own publishing company, T.V. Books. He runs the notorious website Tiny Vices and has a new books series being released by Aperture.
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Tanker Surfing in Galveston, Texas
About a month ago, I was in Galveston, TX…Â shooting some photos of surfers that ride the breaking wakes of Oil Tankers. A wonderful experience in which I’ll go into depth about in an upcoming blog… but just thought I’d post this one picture of Peter in honor of the good times out there. I hope you all are safe and dry.
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New Gallery Representation in Portland!
I’ve joined Charles over at his self-titled “Charles A. Hartman Fine Art” gallery in Portland Oregon recently. He will be hosting a solo show of my FISH-WORK series opening November 20, 2008. The gallery is located next door to Blue Sky Gallery in the beautifully renovated Desoto Project building (park blocks). Stop in, say hello and see some pictures in person in the near future. Charles is a real nice guy.
Charles A. Hartman Fine Art
134 NW 8th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 287-3886
charles@hartmanfineart.net
hartmanfineart.net
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August update and recap from March trip to Switzerland.
It’s been so long since I’ve regularly kept up with this blog… that it’s hard to begin again. A lot has happened since the new year and I’ve probably got about 10 posts worth of recapping to do before I get to current events… So, let’s just make this easy and I’ll just post out of order for the next year or so. Maybe I’ll suddenly remember in October something that happened in Feb, and I’ll post a picture with words… and you’ll wonder why there is snow in the background… etc. but you’ll never email me about it because it’s probably of no urgency to anyone to bring that to anyones attention… yeah.
Well since I’m a photographer, it just occurred to me that I should insert photos in my posts or no one would ever care to read the blog because there’s nothing to gain from reading yet another diary from someone you don’t know.
Ok, Let’s start with Switzerland. I went to Switzerland in March for a week. It was fully funded by a wonderful travel magazine which of whom I will mention when the story is actually published.
People in Switzerland as it turns out, are usually German tourists. (see above)
I met really interesting people and ate a lot of hot cheese, snowboarded everyday, the was force fed very expensive wine by the hosts. People in Arosa, Switzerland are not afraid to rock real big cat fur coats.
I got to hang out with the above man, we dined and laughed, skied together and pretended to understand each other.
He was quite agile.
I don’t normally sneak photos of people in public… and this is no exception. I gave him the old “can I take your picture wink” and he gave me a head nod that I think meant “yes, I’d actually prefer it”.
Switzerland is about teamwork
I tried my hand a bit of action sports photography. This ain’t half bad I suppose.
This is where the blog starts to get all stock photo-y. Someone in this building was recieving a massage at the exact moment the photograph was taken.
Has anyone that’s flown to Zurich seen this girl in the terminal train of the airport? I fell in love instantly and thought about her my whole trip. She winked at me on a hundred TV screens, then blew me a kiss. If anyone out there knows her personally, please be in touch.
That’s it for my Switzerland post… next up, Hawaii in April!
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My cat has a stunt double
I have a new housemate and her cat is the identical cat to mine but a little bigger.
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Greetings from Bristol Bay, Alaska
I’ve been off the grid in Alaska for nearly a month now photographing the salmon fishermen of Bristol Bay, Alaska. I can’t wait to develop this film and hope that my digital files make the trip after my backup hard drive failed… probably due to jarring skiff rides across the bay. More pics and hopefully a more regularly updated blog will come.
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New York Photography Festival
Last night was the opening of the New York Photography festival with four main exhibitions curated by Tim Barber, Martin Parr, Kathy Ryan, and Leslie Martin.
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A new coreyfishes.com is launched.
My friend JD Hooge of Portland along with his team at Gridplane have built a new website for me. Thanks, I hope ya’all like it. Â This is also the beginning of this blog (everything before this was old news).
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Juxtapoz – The Photography Issue
There is a nice photography issue of Juxtapoz out now. Friends Amy Stein, Alex Prager, and myself among others were the lucky ones included.
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NPR Interview
Â
The nice people at NPR’s Bryant Park Show interviewed me in New York City, cut it up and slapped together a slideshow about crab photography. Â You can find it here
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Deadliest Catch Ad Campaign
Earlier this year, I was hired by Discovery Channel to shoot the Captains of Deadliest Catch.  Right now, you can find four billboards up in NYC and Los Angeles as well as ads in several major publications.  I happened by this 10 story pic just off of Times Square last week!  You can also find the pic on the Deadliest Catch homepage as well as a slide show of images I shot in Dutch Harbor. Â
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The Stranger’s Halloween cover
I haven’t seen it in person yet but Seattle’s best free weekly, the Stranger put threw my horse and kitty picture on the Cover! The same picture also made the cover of the January/February issue of Adbusters. Although it’s only 2 inches in size, it is proudly displayed next to a portrait of the soon to be late George W. Bush.