Mill Bay based photographer Rick Lawrence is coming to Ladysmith for a presentation to the Ladysmith Camera Club on urban abstracts and other narratives.
Lawrence’s photography turns urban environments into abstract art. He finds that objects speak to him most are ones that draw on a certain memory, rather than something in the present. Taking a photo is just the beginning of his process. Once the photo is taken, Lawrence manipulates the photo to create the artwork he wants.
“I see the finished object in shapes, colours, and forms in the urban environment. I can picture it as a finished project — as an image — all my work is manipulated,” Lawrence said.
In his process, Lawrence is challenged by finding the image he wants within a particular photograph. He’s not a traditional photographer, and does not pay much mind to apertures, shutter speeds, or shooting techniques. His work is more spontaneous.
“I might be in a car, I might drive by something and say ‘ooh, look at that’, and shoot something through the car window. I might be out for a walk with the dog, and suddenly something catches my eye, and I’ll take a picture of that. Often, the picture I take may not look particularly like a good picture… but there’s a fragment or a particular image within that photograph I’ve taken which is what I want to work with,” Lawrence said.
His work features vibrant colours, shadows, and geometric shapes like squares and lines. Lawrence’s influences are abstract impressionist artists more than photographers. His influences include painters like David Hockney, Mark Rothko, Paul Klee, and Piet Mondrian.
Lawrence’s presentation will be hosted by the Ladysmith Camera Club on September 24 at 7:00 pm, in Hardwick Hall. Non-member drop in fee is $5. For more on Lawrence’s work, visit: ricklawrence.art.