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The Faith Experience by Sean Meyers
sponsored by
Susan and Edward Norvell
The Faith Experience documents traditions of faith, spirituality, and devotional expression in denominational, nondenominational, and even nonreligious settings. The artist photographed depictions and practices of religions, ranging from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity to Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Wicca. The wide variety of religions found within the Piedmont area translates into an equally wide variety of color and black-and-white photographs. One photograph shows Hindu women worshipping in brightly colored cultural dress, while another image presents the viewer with a dark and sobering Good Friday Crucifixion display. Some images show no organized church or religious center at all, such as one photograph of a local man who crafts handmade macramé crosses.
As opposed to traditional photographic prints, the images from The Faith Experience are printed directly onto canvas. Rather than the glossy, smooth surface one normally expects to see in a photograph, these works have a textured picture plane. This textured fabric adds a tangible degree of presence to the scene depicted, increasing the intimacy between image and viewer and thus heightening the effect of the image’s spirituality.
In addition to the documentary aspects of The Faith Experience, the photographer cites other goals. Meyers hopes to create an awareness of spiritual diversity found within our region; he also wants to foster interest in and tolerance of the wide variety of different spiritual and religious practices. As always, the artist enjoys combining the editorial approach of photojournalism with artistic expression, as evidenced by both the educational and creative aspects of The Faith Experience.
No stranger to religious-themed photojournalism, Meyers previously worked on a year-long project documenting African-American worship services while living in Texas. The artist earned his photojournalism degree in 1991 from the University of Florida and has 15 years of professional newspaper and magazine experience, including publications in the Dallas Morning News, People, ESPN Magazine, and Newsweek. He currently teaches digital photography classes at Catawba College and operates his own freelance photography business. Sean Meyers lives in Salisbury with his wife Elizabeth, their two dogs, Stanley and Stella, and their cat, Pluto. The Faith Experience is presented by Susan and Edward Norvell.
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