Howard Harris
Biography
Howard Harris is a fine art photographer who is known for his dimensional, multi-layered images. The Denver Colorado USA native earned a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and MID from Pratt in New York. Harris was granted a United States Patent for his photographic processes, proving his uniqueness and inventiveness. His work has appeared in many books and publications such as International Artists of the Decade, Art Collectors Choice Japan, International Contemporary Masters, Top 10 Contemporary Artists, and 50 Artists to Invest In. His work is shown internationally and represented by galleries in the United States, U.K., and Europe and appears in the South Korean Yukyung Art Museum.
Artist Statement
Visual reality is an ever-shifting, highly individualized experience. In any given moment, what we see reflects both our inner state and synthesis of outer qualities—light, color, movement, space. My exploration in dimensional photographic art represents an attempt to recreate the perceptual experience, with its dynamic nature and hidden complexities. In my patented process, I use photographic constructions, a single, often abstracted image is layered over itself on clear acrylic surfaces and superimposed on a subtle grid. The resulting visual phenomenon infuses the image with a sense of dimensionality and fluidity affected by such changes as the angle of viewing and light. The enhanced visual experience Yet perceptual mechanics are only part of the equation. Equally essential are universal principles of design that produce qualities we perceive as beauty. This is my aim: to skillfully combine technology and aesthetics in a way that expands the viewer’s experience of photographic art.
What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist? “
I don’t think I “became” an artist -I was born to be an artist. I cannot think of a time when art was not part of my life. From as early as I can remember art of some type - painting, sculpture, photography, theater, etc. - has always been around me. It is only a foggy memory, but I took my first formal drawing class when I was 8 or10 years old. I still have two vivid memories of that class: One was that the class was held in an “artist” style loft (very cool) and the other was the teacher laughing at me when I drew a fox with a tail that looked like it exploded out of the fox’s rear end. For some reason, that failure just inspired me to refine my aspirations and pursue artistic projects following my intuition and imagination.
What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?
I would like to be the kind of artist that adds value to the life of people who view my work whether the value comes from the pure enjoyment of the image or experiencing something that introduces new thoughts, I would like to add wonderment to the viewer’s life.
What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?
Visual reality is an ever-shifting, highly individualized experience. In any given moment, what we see reflects both our inner state and synthesis of outer qualities—light, color, movement, space. My exploration in dimensional photographic art represents an attempt to recreate the perceptual experience, with its dynamic nature and hidden complexities. Josef Albers once said that “Abstraction is real, probably more real than nature”. I believe that Photographic Art should go beyond a static two-dimensional representation of nature. A photo should capture more than one moment in time, one view, and one experience. Adding additional dimensions to a two-dimensional image should be the goal of the artist. As an artist, one should master technology. But mastering technology or technique only makes one a technician. The artist must transcend the merely technical. It is the goal of the artist to add the intangible dimensions of personal expression, emotion, movement, and the opportunity for the image to interact with its ever-changing environment.
Can you explain the process of creating your work?
My process is amazingly simple. I start with a photograph then I use a combination of Lightroom and/or Photoshop to develop the final image. The final image is then used as the base image printed on aluminum. The acrylic overlay is created through my US Patented process using Photoshop to alter the base image to create an image grid. The final image is then printed on an acrylic sheet. After both images are printed, I combine the two using aluminum spacers to create the final display image.
What is your favorite part of the creative process?
My favorite part of the process is setting the image free from the constraints of the photograph. This may sound strange, but each photographic image wants to emerge to show the viewer what is trapped inside the basic photo. Through the magic of electronics and filters, I release the hidden colors, shapes, lines, volumes, and expressions that the photographer wants to reveal. Then I use my unique patented process to allow the magic of the image to be revealed to the viewer.
Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?
I will continue my quest to create dimensional photographic images with a deeper understanding of what Arshile Gorky once said about abstractions, “Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes.... Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas.” I will continue my quest into the unknown with the belief that whatever I strive to create will be aesthetically pleasing, and forever changing.
Website: www.hharrisphoto.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/howardharrisphotoart/
