© Jack Nally
Jack Nally, a recent graduate of Reading Memorial High School, has been chosen to receive the $1,000 Joan Johnson Scholarship from the Griffin Museum of Photography..
He will be presented the award at the opening reception of the 16th Juried Exhibition at the museum July 1. In the fall, he will attend Towson University in Maryland to study occupational therapy and swim on its division one swim team.
Nally was one of many students who submitted work to the portion of the juried exhibit for area high school seniors, Shooting for Tomorrow. A selection of the work is on exhibit in the Griffin Gallery June 30 through August 29.
While there was no theme or format for submissions, students were asked to select an image that best represented them, personally and photographically. They also were asked to submit a companion essay answering the question, `What are we shooting for by using photography?'
The museum was looking for a well-written essay that provided personal perspectives and opposing points of view, as well as a well-produced photograph that can communicate the message strongly on its own.
Sejal Patel, one of the jurors of the show along with photographer Andrea Rosenthal, says the photographs "seem hopeful, rational, and reflective of the time we endure. Imagining vivid spaces, nostalgic events, and futuristic scenes are all recurring themes that rose to the surface when viewing works by senior high school students.
"The stillness of their visions with the backdrop of modern technology address the challenges of understanding the world before us," she continues. "It seems as if this group of images intends to distract us from the everyday; they invite us with an open mind, without any preconceived ideas, judgments, or generalizations. When standing in front of them, you embrace the expressive form and technique that demonstrate a great amount of maturity and sophistication."
Patel says the photographs represent the present, but dodge the negative psychological disturbances of our time. "One photograph in particular feels very symbolic in its execution," she says. "This double exposure photograph by Jack Nally pictures two girls with their backs turned against us as if leaping forward into the bottomless pit of freedom.As one views these photographs, one might ask, `What is it that these youth are abandoning? What is it that is being photographed so that it may become a thing of the past? I see these photographs as a way to welcome a better tomorrow by witnessing the passage of today."
Nally says, "My photo represents the unknown. When glancing at this photo, you are unsure about what you are looking at. At first, you see two girls that look like they are just standing on a rock. As you look further into the photo, it looks as though the girls are at a deserted gas station, but the photo was taken at a beach."
Nally says he achieved the effect using double exposure. On his way to the beach, he saw a deserted lobster cage and knew he has to do something with it. After photographing the girls on the rock, he shot the lobster cage.
He said the photo also represents him. "I know I have to venture out into the unknown sometimes to see the beauty of the world, just like this photo."
The Griffin Museum of Photography is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 am - 5 pm; Friday 11 am - 4
pm; and Saturday and Sunday, noon - 4 pm. The Museum is closed on Monday. Admission is $5 for
adults; $2 for seniors. Members and children under 12 are admitted free. Admission is free to all
every Thursday. For more information, call 781-729-1158.
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