'Serenity And Splendor": Photographs Of Iceland By Susan Kessler At Plainsboro Library Gallery
Plainsboro Public Library – May 2018 – Immerse yourself in the captivating and remarkable scenery of Iceland with this stunning collection of photographs by Susan Kessler. Through the artist's eye, tour immense waterfalls, black sand beaches, and snow-covered glaciers along Iceland's southern Ring Road. Shot during the artist's month-long residency there, the photographs show the rich scenic diversity of this Nordic island country. Join an informal gallery tour with Kessler at the reception on Sunday, May 6, 2 -4 pm (gallery tour approximately 3 pm). The exhibit runs April 28 – May 23, 2018.
Kessler had the opportunity to travel to Iceland through a residency with the Gullkistan Center for Creativity in South Iceland. The trip was during the month of July, allowing Kessler to observe a peak seasonal phenomenon, the "midnight sun", where the sun barely sets at midnight, and rises again just a few hours later. The time just before sunset is known as the "Golden Hour", where the colors and quality of light are at their most extraordinary. Kessler uses a tripod for her work, taking long exposures which can soften the quality of some of the more extreme subjects.
Kessler has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters of Architecture, as well as a Certificate in Digital Photography. She has been a textile designer, an architect, and at present, a photographer. Kessler has travelled to the foothills of the Himalayas and the Andes in Peru on behalf of non-governmental associations in their fight against poverty, and has donated her photographs for their use in fundraising. Her work now has moved from documentary to primarily landscape.
In 2016, Susan was awarded an artist residency in Assisi, Italy. This past summer she was awarded the residency in Laugarvatn, Iceland. "Serenity and Splendor" is an exhibit created from work during that residency.
A long-time resident of Plainsboro, Susan now lives with her husband in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The Plainsboro Library is located at 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro, NJ. Hours are 10-8:30 Monday – Thursday, and 10-5 Friday – Sunday. For more information, call 609-275-2897.
Photo Descriptions:
"Golden Light II" is an image of light falling on an Icelandic mountain during the "Golden Hour", which in Iceland in July, can actually last for several hours. Photograph was made in Western Iceland on the Snaefellsness Peninsula.
"Jokulsarlon Iceberg II" was made while floating in a tiny Zodiac boat in the middle of Jokulsarlon Lagoon, Southeastern Iceland.
"Svartifoss" — This is a waterfall in Vatnajokull National Park in South Iceland. Svartifoss means Black Falls, and was named that because it is surrounded by dark lava columns.
Donna Senopoulos
Plainsboro Public Library
donnasen@lmxac.org
Susan Kessler
susankesslerphotography@gmail.com
Artist Websites:
https://www.susankesslerphotography.com
https://susankessler-documentary.com
https://www.instagram.com/slkesslerphotography