Works by Aimee George & Nellie Bittenbender
Artist's Statement Aimee George
aimee george is an artist and educator native to the Shenandoah Valley. Along with teaching art at James Madison University, she has taught at the University of Mary Washington, Shenandoah University, Blue Ridge Community College and Northern Virginia Community College. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree with concentration in photography from James Madison University and a BFA from Shepherd University. She specializes in alternative and historic photographic processes and black & white traditional film photography. Her work and teachings also expand through digital photography, digital & film videography, printmaking and foundations of art. She continues her research and practice into sustainable organic, plant-based photography processes. She is also a yoga teacher and an Ayurvedic counselor and loves to include these practices and research into her artworks and teachings.
Her April Show...
amalgamate4 photograph by aimee george[/caption]
idaenergy_pt2_no1 photograph by aimee george
Kama dichotomy (the contrasts of pleasure) Photography by aimee george
i am the elements. the science of life the knowledge of life the intertwining, the connection the imbalance, the balance the ebb and the flow we are all made of the same ether . air . fire . water . earth the commonality of uncertainty the rhythms the cycles we are all connected intertwined we are the elements. My work explores the profound interconnectedness of nature, humanity, and the rhythms of life, inspired by the ancient Indian principles of Ayurveda and Yoga. Rooted in the five elements—ether, air, fire, water, and earth—I delve into the balance and imbalance that shape our existence, both within and around us. Solar and Lunar. Masculine and Feminine. Yin and Yang. Ether and Earth. Shiva and Shakti. Hard and Soft. I am drawn to the cycles of life, the flux of our emotions, the consequences of our choices, and how they mirror the constant push and pull of nature's flow. We, humans, are not separate from nature but are intrinsic to its rhythms and cycles. I explore the contrasts we face and the decisions that define our journey toward peace and joy, or alternatively-- dis-ease. The materials and processes I use embody the elements themselves: earth is present in the silver and photographic materials, water in the chemistry of development, fire in the capturing and manipulation of light, and ether and air in the creative space where ideas manifest. These techniques embrace the uncontrollable, the unexpected, and the imperfect—echoing the uncertainty of life and its inherent magic. Through use of historical and alternative photographic processes with a contemporary twist, I create imagery that blurs the boundaries between clarity and ambiguity, inviting viewers to experience the dichotomies and similarities within themselves, nature, and others-- connecting us all within a moment of stillness, questioning, and reflection. At its core, my art seeks to illuminate our shared experience as beings deeply rooted in and intertwined with the elements and question our own truth. It reminds us to slow down, observe, and feel the wisdom held within our bodies, the cycles of life, and the natural world. By embracing the commonality of connection and uncertainty, we uncover profound truths: we are the elements, the rhythms, and the flow.
Her website: http://www.studiosilver.org
Her email: george.aimee@gmail.com
