Statement

The first photography exhibit that I was introduced to was "Immediate Family" by Sally Mann. I was a sophomore in college taking a drawing class and as I passed through the art-gallery, which was attached to the drawing room, I was confronted with the most beautiful black and white photographs. These pictures revealed so much to me personally about adolescence and growing up and they had this familiar spirit that drew me to them. I had never seen someone take pictures that way and my interest in photography was born. These photographs stay very clear in my mind. I studied Theater and Art History in college and it wasn't until I moved to New York in 1993 that I pursued my interest in photography. I started taking classes in 1995 at the School of Visual Arts and then transferred over to the International Center of Photography where I continued through 1998. I was fortunate while living in New York in that it was my learning ground; my chance to experiment and take advantage and explore a plethora of local and international photographers, museums, and galleries. Attending International Center of Photography was an essential part of my education as the professors and students helped nurture my creative inspiration and pushed me to further my goals as a photographer personally and professionally. In the fall of 1999, I moved back to Omaha where I currently reside. The change of environment has been quite an adjustment, but I find that I have more time, peace and space to pursue my photography in my private studio/ darkroom where I print all of my own work.

I have been making pictures now for 8 years and I know that I am at the very beginning of what I have to discover. I've tried conveying emotions and the humanity with each individual I have photographed. Some of the people and places that I have photographed are close to me with familiar surroundings that I will be in touch with forever and some are strangers and places I will not see or communicate with again. I didn't plan to make these pictures; I feel these pictures came to me. I try to discover and bridge the relationship between humanity and the lens.

Skyelar Hawkins 01/02/03