From Teresa:
I contemplate the shared truths of the human story--love, fear, home, family, birth, aging, dying--through the lens of the surreal. In a series of autobiographical self-portraits, I examine identity within the context of family history and the natural world. The work tackles the interwoven complexities of past and present and, specifically, how the past shapes and dictates our perception of our present self and relationships. I encourage introspection and inspire awe through journey-like narratives and fantastical landscapes embedded with unexpected juxtapositions of characters and settings.
My work is heavily influenced by nature, steeped in the myth and magic of the natural world. Growing up in Oregon, I was surrounded by stunningly beautiful landscapes that generated feelings of awe and appreciation. I try to tap into these feelings of wonder with my imagery as a way to draw viewers in, seduce them, if you will, with the natural beauty of the world. By tapping into wonder, I encourage the feelings of surprise, curiosity, contemplation, and joy. Surprise allows us to reexamine and revise our concepts and beliefs, and curiosity prompts us to learn more. In short, wonder draws us outside of ourselves and reconnects us to something greater, the sublime, which is something we all desperately need, especially, now.
People often speak of getting back to nature, implying that they’ve somehow become apart from it. As I continue this work, provoking introspection and humbly trying to capture the fleeting and natural beauty of this world, I hope to challenge people’s notion that we are apart from and outside of nature, encouraging them to rethink how they interact with and impact, not only each other, but also the natural world.
The facts:
Photographs by Teresa Meier
I recently met and became acquainted with Teresa Meier’s work at a local fine art photography portfolio review event. I was impressed by her personal vision as well as the meticulous attention to detail she incorporates in her images.
More information and Teresa’s Artist Statement are posted below.
