“PHOENIX” the Solo Photography Exhibition of Joseph Podlesnik

PHOENIX - Dec. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- Shade Projects presents the solo exhibition of Joseph Podlesnik featuring a selection of photographs from his recently published book “PHOENIX” in Bokeh Gallery at the monOrchid. “PHOENIX: Photographs by Joseph Podlesnik” captures stunning imagery of Phoenix through a fresh and intriguing lens. Podlesnik recently self-published an 86 page black and white and color photography book titled “PHOENIX: Photographs by Joseph Podlesnik”. Podlesnik took roughly 4,000 to 5,000 photographs in Phoenix, over the course of a four year period. Podlesnik's photography focuses on the process and his environment “I try to notice the coming together of architecture, sky, and forms that typify my locale; what matters is organization in the frame, not just the reality before me”, says Podlesnik. This exhibition showcases a small selection of photographs from this book and recently shot work that features imagery that is pure, unusual, complicated and at times perplexing to the eye. Podlesnik says, “I don’t want the viewer to be too comfortable with the image at first; I’d like the image to be a puzzle, disorienting at first, encouraging the viewer to find their way through the photograph”. “Such substance, technique, and emotion captured in this photography, encouraging the viewer to expand their minds and throw out those preconceived notions about photography of Phoenix,” says, Shade Projects Curator, Nicole Royse.

Traditionally trained with a BFA in Drawing and Painting from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MFA in Drawing and Painting from Cornell University. He is currently an Associate Professor of Art Foundations at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division, Adjunct Professor of Art at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and as Adjunct Lecturer at Paradise Valley Community College. He has had work published in The North American Review and in Foundations of Design by Jeff Davis. Podlesnik is a seasoned artist who has been creating art in various mediums for many years, most recently focusing on photography. He has exhibited his artwork extensively across the country and has had his work featured in numerous publications. He is also a member of the Arizona Artists Guild.

PHOENIX will be on display in Bokeh Gallery at the monOrchid from January 2^nd until January 28th, 2014. The opening reception will be held on First Friday, January 2^nd from 6-10pm with the artist in attendance and a book signing of his book PHOENIX. The artist reception will be held on Saturday, January 17th from 6-10pm with the artist giving a brief talk as well as a book signing of his book PHOENIX. Shade Projects will be hosting an exciting workshop for $10 on Saturday, January 17^th from 12-3pm at the monOrchid taught by the talented Podlesnik in conjunction with his exhibition PHOENIX. “Seeing Through a Lens,” promises to be an engaging workshop that will focus on seeing and composing the visible world through a camera.

The monOrchid is located at 214 E. Roosevelt Street in the heart of Phoenix's downtown arts district. The building is open daily and the exhibition may be viewed during business hours. Visit our website for more information at monorchid.com. Feel free to explore more of Podlesnik’s work http://josephpodlesnik.com. Please contact the Curator Nicole Royse by phone at (602) 810-3449 or by email at art@monorchid.com for media inquiries or a private appointment to view this exhibition.