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FotoFest 2010 - Sergio Santos and June Russell

Presented by Betz Gallery at Betz Gallery

March 13-April 10, 2010

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Houston is the home of many great photographers and two of the best will have their work on view at Betz Art Gallery in Montrose as part of FotoFest 2010. On Saturday, March 13, from 6-9 p.m., Betz Gallery will hold its FotoFest opening reception featuring work by photographers Sergio Santos and June Russell.

Visiones Mayas: My False Idols is a body of work in which Sergio Santos examines the intricate connection of his ancestry rooted in Mayan/Spanish culture. For Santos, the photographs represent the tension felt through the historical conflict that extends into present day and continues to affect Latin Americans and their descendants. The images are not a historical depiction, but a photographic interpretation of passages from the Mayan creation account, the Popul Vuh and various other Mayan research. Santos uses digital photography as an intentional contrast between technology and pre-Columbian mythology.

“Being of Latin American descent is a confounding matter to have ancestry that is so diametrically opposed. We are the fruit of one forefather (the Spanish) and murder of the other forefather (the Mayan),” explains Santos.

These new "Visiones Mayas" images by Santos are based on a textbook by Lewis Spence that originally inspired Santos to embark on the Visiones Mayas journey. Spence’s text was published in 1922 and contains a section where Mayan gods are designated a letter of the alphabet. Although, the entire alphabet will not be on display, this exhibit is a peek at the emergence of these Mayan gods. Santos has titled this set of images, "My False Idols."

Although Santos began his formal photographic education at the age of 18, he has been fascinated by photography since he was a child. He studied at the Glassell School of Art, but believes his most valuable photographic education comes from the mentorship and support he found at the Santa Fe Photography Workshops in New Mexico under instructors like Tony Corbell and Chip Simons.

In addition to his studies at Glassell and Santa Fe, Santos received two bachelor degrees —- one in literature and another in philosophy — in 2000 from the University of St. Thomas. His Master of Arts in Literature was conferred from the University of Houston Clear Lake in 2006. Santos' diverse education and personal experiences fuel his creative processes as they stimulate new artistic visions. While he finds inspiration in family and cultural traditions, Santos inevitably also finds inspiration in the verbal illustrations of literary masters such as William Faulkner and Nathanael West. Santos' photographs reflect similar themes of the Modernist and Post-Modernist Literary movement. The tenets of the these movements —- the isolation and collapse of the unified self, the destruction of assumed meaning, and the absurdity of life with other people —- are all present in Santos' work, albeit in a contemporary context.

When not creating striking, cutting-edge, works of art, Santos also finds time to photograph such traditional industry staples as portraits, weddings, food, corporate events and ephemera via his business, Sergio Santos Photography. For more information about Santos's photography, visit the website www.sergiosantosphotography.com or e-mail him at sergio@sergiosantosphotography.com.

Joining Santos at Betz Gallery for FotoFest will be June Russell who will present her exhibit, Natural Beauties: Beyond the Petals. Flowers are a tradition in the art world. Artists paint them and photographers strive to capture their essence. But every now and then, someone comes along with a unique new vision, a new way of looking at the floral beauty around us. Russell's work provides visitors to the exhibition a chance to see these jewels of the natural world in exquisite detail.

"With this work, I am exploring the intimacies within flowers -- focusing on what lies hidden among the petals," Russell explains. "As I go deeper and closer, the intricacies of blossoms are revealed. In addition, fascinating forms emerge as abstract images that sing out with unexpected song. Enjoy the bouquet I’ve picked for you as you visit my natural world."

Fifteen years ago, Russell’s interest in photography intensified, and she decided to pursue it seriously as an art form -- attending classes and traveling on photo expeditions to some of the most striking natural settings in the world. Russell, who finds most of her subject matter from nature, has recently started giving presentations to art organizations on topics of photographic technique and the elements of excellent images.

"My inspiration comes from nature," Russell explains. "I feel most alive when I am walking in the woods, hiking in the mountains or standing by a lake. Through my photography, I share the joy and exuberance that I experience in this most healing of environments. By remaining true to the colors and forms I find in nature, I represent the almost ineffable beauty that surrounds me. Combining my passion for photography with the natural world has become my lifelong journey of the spirit."

Russell has been involved with artistic interests since childhood, when she painted, played piano and sang. Currently exhibiting at Betz Art Gallery, Russell has been showing her fine art prints in juried shows for the past nine years, and her images hang in collections across the country. Russell is a member of Women in the Visual and Literary Arts and was on the organization's board of directors for four years. When not photographing the wonders of nature, Russell -- a professional musician who plays piano and guitar and formerly sang in restaurants and lounges -- sings with the Houston Symphony Chorus and has performed with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. For more information about June Russell, her work or upcoming events, visit her website at www.junerussellphotography.com.

The FotoFest reception at Betz Art Gallery is free of charge and open to the public. In addition to the photography on view, music will be provided by Karma Houston: dj Kung Fu Pimp & Smooth Operator and refreshments will be served.

Betz Art Gallery is located at 1208 W. Gray in the Montrose section of Houston. For more information about Betz's FotoFest exhibits "Visiones Mayas: My False Idols" and "Natural Beauties: Beyond the Petals" contact Lori Betz at 713-576-6954, via e-mail at info@betzgallery.com  or by visiting the gallery's website www.betzgallery.com.

Pictured above:  Sergio Santos -  detail "Goddess O."