Vicki McKenna

Geological time is deep and complex, but it is composed of the accumulation of the changes produced by daily, dynamic forces at the junctions of fluid earth, solid earth, and biosphere. As a geologist and teacher, I started taking photographs to illustrate concepts to my students. Soon I became intrigued by the challenge of creating engaging representations of a three-dimensional world in two-dimensions. To help convey the astonishing geologic evolution underlying seemingly common landscapes, I harness the textures, tonality and timelessness of classic black and white photography. In introducing elements of abstraction, I try to ease a scene from its specific location, inviting others to marvel with me at the “ordinary” in our remarkable natural world.

A print is the final expression of the image that I’ve conceived when taking the photograph, and I view the craftsmanship involved with printing to be as important as the original composition of the photograph. My black and white prints are created using variations on historic processes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Platinum and palladium prints are known for rich blacks and subtle mid-tones. The process creates prints that are the most stable and long-lived of photographic prints. I enjoy the process since it offers an additional avenue for my artistic expression. Each print is truly hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind.

After earning a PhD in Geological Sciences from Brown University and ALB in Natural Sciences from Harvard University, I studied photography at the New England School of Photography, the Photography Atelier at the Griffin Museum, and Maine Media Workshops. As a core member of Fountain Street gallery, I’ve had three two-person shows. I’ve also had juried solo shows at the Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport and the Newton Free Library, and have exhibited in galleries throughout New England and along the East Coast, including the Danforth Museum, Framingham, MA and the Cambridge Art Association, Cambridge, MA At the Fountain Street Gallery I served as lead curator and committee chair for the Annex space exhibitions. I am currently an Associate Member of Kingston Gallery in SOWA.I have taught a freshman seminar focused on photography at M.I.T., where I also photographed for student programs and events.