Timbered Virtue
Lamar Richcreek
September 6-October 15, 2024
Opening Reception: September 6, 6-9pm
Free and open to the public
Aurora PhotoCenter, Efroymson Gallery
1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9, Indianapolis
The exhibition Timbered Virtue, featuring work by artist and educator Lamar Richcreek (1947-2018), explores changes in American rural life and family farms, as seen through adult eyes and childhood memories. Richcreek writes about his work:
“My views of the landscape, agriculture, and the family farm are romanticized ones, originating from childhood experiences and visits to my grandfather’s farm in Central Indiana. In the aftermath of World War II and during the Cold War years, the Midwest saw the creation of global markets for farm products and the development of technological advances that were invented to increase production for improved and insured profitability, all of which transformed American farming. These transformations favored agri-businesses and multi-national corporations thereby altering the viability of the traditional family farm. This change occurred over time without my realizing its impact.
I have integrated the use of the manipulated photographic print and digital video in an attempt to reflect upon my romanticized views of the past and to contrast the cultivating of farmland by independent, individual farmers, as tradition had dictated, to the highly mechanized, assembly like, and globally-oriented form of today’s agricultural business. These recent projects, compared to photography works of earlier years, brought awareness to how my nostalgic view of the past, and of the landscape in particular, can detract from a clear observation of my ever-changing world.”
Lamar Richcreek followed a nontraditional path to the arts. The artist began making photographs while serving as a drafted GI in Korea. After a 20-year career as a banker, Richcreek followed his life-long passion for photography and in his 50's returned to school for a Masters in Fine Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He was a fine art photographer and a full-time instructor of photography and lab manager at Herron School of Art and Design on the IUPUI campus for 20 years. The artist lived his life modeling his values for lifelong learning, an appreciation for people of all types and cultures, the power of the arts and the importance of integrity and respect for all.
The exhibition Timbered Virtue will be accompanied by an essay written by celebrated photographic artist Linda Adele Goodine, who was Richcreek’s mentor, colleague at Herron School of Art and Design, and close friend.
In honor of Lamar, his wife, Jean Richcreek, has endowed Aurora PhotoCenter’s Fall Internship for the next three years, to be named the Lamar Richcreek Memorial Fall Internship. The paid internship will prioritize applicants who hope to teach photography and studio arts in their future career. The application deadline for the internship is August 15, 2024; please click here for more information.
Annual operating support for Aurora PhotoCenter provided by the City of Indianapolis through the Indy Arts Council. Additional support provided by the Efroymson Family Fund.