TOM EPPERSON
12 BELOW
Opening on April 2, 2009
Tom Epperson, an American photographer who has been living in the Philippines for the past 23 years, will be presenting his first US solo exhibition, 12 Below, at Tyler Rollins Fine Art in April 2009. In recent years, Tom has been experimenting with the properties of ice, an unusual medium which is the inspiration behind this new photographic series. While watching a documentary about the possibility of a future Ice Age, Epperson began to wonder what would happen if another Ice Age were to begin within the year. What objects from our civilization would the next generation find in the ice?
Epperson explains: “I decided to focus my story on one family, a Filipino family, and some of their most treasured belongings, most of which existed elsewhere, while some were uniquely inherent in the Philippines.” Examples of the frozen objects include the rosary, dried fish, sampaguita flowers and the balisong (a collapsible knife used for self-defense). Epperson juxtaposes this images to create an oblique narrative exploring issues of Filipino identity in our contemporary, globalized world.
In 2005, Epperson was honored with a solo exhibition at the Ayala Museum, one of the most important cultural institutions of the Philippines. Entitled One Light, the exhibition featured 55 portraits taken over the course of the past 20 years of people from all walks of life, shot using only one light source. Socialites, musicians, actors, businessmen, family and ordinary people were exhibited.
12 Below will be on view at Tyler Rollins Fine Art from April 2 – May 9, 2009.
VIEW THE EXHIBITION
529 WEST 20 STREET, 10W, NEW YORK, NY 10011
info@trfineart.com
To schedule an appointment or for press inquiries please contact Matthew Marchak.
