September at Perspective: “A World in the Bark of a Tree,” + “Wandering the Sahara”

“It’s easy to relate to a tree,” says photographer Verna Todd. “With sturdiness and style, it offers shelter in the rain or exhausting heat.  It raises its boughs, so much like human arms; it whispers in the wind.”  With trees in mind and camera in hand, Todd set forth to create her tree-resplendent exploration “A World in the Bark of a Tree,” on view at Perspective Gallery Sept 5^th through September 29th. Also on view:  photographer Doug Haight’s photographic journey through the Sahara desert, “Wandering the Sahara.” The opening reception, in tandem with EvanstonMade’s First Saturday events, is on Saturday, September 7^th from 5 to 7 p.m.

Viewing the Sahara at dawn drew Haight in to its stark beauty and ephemeral nature.  “I was struck by the feeling of a place that is the same as it was one thousand years ago,” he says, “yet different than it was last year or even last night. It is alive with the potential to shift, grow and bury what it pleases.”  Haight thought of the saying, “Swallowed by the desert”, and “I felt that. Immense outlines that emerged seemingly insurmountable and endless.  All sky and sand with waves of texture and grandeur.  Scale blurred by stillness.”  Forms and lines appeared, daring him to explore them within a frame, and endless curves that led his eye to the bluest heavens and the darkest shadows.

For Todd, her exploration began when she spotted a tree covered in richly-hued bark of yellow, green, orange and turquoise. Soon, the one square block where she lives became Todd’s favorite meeting place with the trees.  “All I had to do was slip out the door and open her eyes,” she says. “The bark was at eye level so it was easy to see up close – my number one way to photograph.  Each tree offered up its secrets as I spent time with it and paid it attention.”

Please stop in at Perspective Gallery (1310-1/2B Chicago Avenue, Evanston) to view both beautiful bodies of work any Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., or Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. through September 29^th. The artists will also be giving a Zoom talk about the work on Thursday, September 19^th at 7 p.m. Visit https://perspective-gallery.squarespace.com/ for more information.

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