Kathy Fridstein
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Current Projects / Stones and Relics
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Stones and Relics

My photographs build on my interest in symbolic forms, from petroglyphs to ancient menhirs and stone circles, to dwellings of ancient civilizations. Each culture develops a mythology with which to understand its environment. Stones are sacred symbols of cohesion and stability with a life-giving potency. Ancient civilizations universally used stones in their dwellings for structural and religious reasons. I am interested in the relationship of ruins to their current surroundings compared to the knowledge of their ancient state. 

Many of the symbolic shapes, pictographic languages, and mythological concepts that continually emerge as touchstones in my work have had symbolic value since prehistory and continue to retain their power.

Today, many ancient ruins and relics are deteriorating or have been destroyed due to the confluence of climate change, expanding resource extraction and war. I hope my photographs inspire reflection and connection to the ways humans have always been interwoven with the natural world, reminding us to embrace our environment and honor its influence on the way we live.

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Contemporary Photography by the Print Night Photographers, Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, WA, Juried Group Exhibition, 2021

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New Mexico, Archival Pigment Print, 1982-2006

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Horseshoe Canyon, Archival Pigmnet Print, 2000-2006

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Eraclea Minoa, Sicily, Archival Pigment Print, 2020

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In the Corner, The Hurlers, Archival Pigment Print, 1994-2020

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Machu Picchu, Archival Pigment Print, 2010

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Avebury, Archival Pigment Print (also silver print, 36″ x 36″) 1994-2020

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Cornwall, Archival Pigment Print (also silver print, 36″ x 36″) 1994-2020

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Eastern Washington, Archival Pigment Print, 2009

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Delicate Arch, Archival Pigment Print, 2000-2006

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Galisteo, New Mexico, Silver Print, Oil, Pastel, 36″ x 36″, 1995

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New Mexico #2, Silver Print, Oil, Pastel. 36″ x 36″, 1995

My photographs build on my interest in symbolic forms, from petroglyphs to ancient menhirs and stone circles, to dwellings of ancient civilizations. Each culture develops a mythology with which to understand its environment. Stones are sacred symbols of cohesion and stability with a life-giving potency. Ancient civilizations universally used stones in their dwellings for structural and religious reasons. I am interested in the relationship of ruins to their current surroundings compared to the knowledge of their ancient state. 

Many of the symbolic shapes, pictographic languages, and mythological concepts that continually emerge as touchstones in my work have had symbolic value since prehistory and continue to retain their power.

Today, many ancient ruins and relics are deteriorating or have been destroyed due to the confluence of climate change, expanding resource extraction and war. I hope my photographs inspire reflection and connection to the ways humans have always been interwoven with the natural world, reminding us to embrace our environment and honor its influence on the way we live.

Contemporary Photography by the Print Night Photographers, Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, WA, Juried Group Exhibition, 2021

New Mexico, Archival Pigment Print, 1982-2006

Horseshoe Canyon, Archival Pigmnet Print, 2000-2006

Eraclea Minoa, Sicily, Archival Pigment Print, 2020

In the Corner, The Hurlers, Archival Pigment Print, 1994-2020

Machu Picchu, Archival Pigment Print, 2010

Avebury, Archival Pigment Print (also silver print, 36″ x 36″) 1994-2020

Cornwall, Archival Pigment Print (also silver print, 36″ x 36″) 1994-2020

Eastern Washington, Archival Pigment Print, 2009

Delicate Arch, Archival Pigment Print, 2000-2006

Galisteo, New Mexico, Silver Print, Oil, Pastel, 36″ x 36″, 1995

New Mexico #2, Silver Print, Oil, Pastel. 36″ x 36″, 1995

Copyright 2023 Kathy Fridstein.  All Rights Reserved