By Morgan Rogers in Maine Insights
Maine artist, Ramona du Houx, is in a current group exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, from May 7th to the 19th and at the Constellation Gallery in Portland, Maine, throughout May.
Anat Parnass, Ramona du Houx, Suzanne Mooney and Takafumi Suzuki, are all members of the Creative Artist Group showing at the Tokyo Gallery Storks show entitled: The Beauties & Beast.
Ramona’s photographic fine art in the exhibit tells the story of a bird who transforms as the avian experiences the seasons.“Modern society plugs us into the Internet and that can open doors but sometimes too much of being Internet connected disconnects us from the mysteries of the natural world that can be transformational. I want to show how nature’s interconnectedness can lead us to discoveries about our world and ourselves,” said Ramona du Houx.
In Ramona’s story a bird first sees Lupine’s Dance in spring and wants to uncover more about nature’s mysteries. The young bird awakens to nature’s energy more in the summer, shown in the photo Wake Up. In fall the bird begins a Journey of discovery and in winter the she realizes because of her experiences that all life is interconnected– depicted in Snow Dance. Finally, the bird transforms into energy – in the photo Transformation Flight.
“Throughout history scientists have observed nature to aid them with their inventions. From airplane designs to medicines nature’s inspiration has been the guide. We need to continue to observe nature and protect our natural world for all our futures, ” said du Houx. “I hope my images will make people think more about their connection with nature.”
The title of Takafumi Suzuki’s work is, Human Beings Cannot Live Alone. His images are of a monkey, a moose, clams and a cat. His black and white silver prints take hours of dark room work using the traditional processes.
“We are a part of the nature,” said Takafumi Suzuki about what his images depict. “That’s the message I wish to convey.”
Suzuki is an internationally renowned fine art photographer and professor at Japan University College of Art – Japan’s finest art college.
Storks Gallery of Tokyo, exhibited du Houx’s work in a solo show in February of 2012, and will have another solo show of Ramona’s work in September of 2014. The gallery represents Ramona’s work.
Throughout May, Ramona is also exhibiting eleven fine art works conveying the harmony and energy of Maine, at the Constellation Gallery on Congress Street in Portland. Ramona is a member of this unique Maine Cooperative. Some of these fine art photographs resemble watercolors and have been exhibited in New York, Japan, Scotland, England, Ireland, Florida and Maine.
Maine Sail
A sloop, Maine Sails, photographed off Belfast, merges into its surroundings showing how it’s geometry is reflected in nature.
Into the Mystic
In Into the Mystic a schooner looks like it approaching under full sail from another world.
Beach
Beach brings us into the world of enjoying summer holidays at the seaside.
Western Mountains
Western Mountains clearly takes the viewer into a dream like watercolor world.
Transformation Flight of the bird merging with it’s surroundings is in both exhibits.
In 1979 Ramona developed a technique, called Lightgraphs, which shows motion and energy in a unique way. It became her way of painting with the camera.
“Some Native American’s say everything is a part of everything else. At times we can sense that reality, like when the sun wraps around objects late in the day and breezes gently move tree leaves, grain and clouds in landscapes,” said du Houx. “I try to show how everything is interconnected, to capture that stillness that also combines a rush of energy, with my photography.”
Images in the Portland show:
Ramona attended Long Island University and has been a professional photographer for over thirty years. She traveled the world with her camera, fascinated by people, politics and everyday community life. In 1991 she fell in love with Maine and settled in Solon.
Photographic art by Ramona du Houx 