Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison : Masters of Surrealist Photography

Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison collaboratively create surreal works with a sepia tone that are out of league from traditional photography. I would call their work at the interface of being a Model, craftsman , sculptors, photographers and painters. Their work has been featured in top museums such as National Museum of American art and the Smithsonian. Without further ado, I would like to present my summary here.

Robert and Shana began collaborating during graduate school at University of New Mexico. What grew as a necessity of deadlines continued to Roswell, New Mexico as Artist residents. The beautiful amalgamation of Robert's interests in Photography and Theatre alloying well with Shana's expertise in dance and painting is a treat to eyes. In their own words, "photography is the one very last thing" they do. It is just a means to an end since they spend much time in sculpting the scene.

As a student of photography, first of all, I would like to discuss their technique. Their work usually starts with an initial idea followed by discussion and layout. Thereafter, they build the set for photos. Following this, they assemble images, often times backtracking on part of images. Based on self feedback, they move in a particular direction. For instance, look at this photograph titled "Guardian" from their most famous work "Architect's brother" .

Guardian (c)  Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison 

Interestingly, none of the images in "Architect's brother" have been digitally modified. They use a painstaking adapted process called "paper negative process". They shoot various images with photographic aspects such as lighting, depth of focus, etc and collage various images into one image. After going through multiple rounds of paper negative and positive, drawing on them, they arrive at a final image which they further paint on photograph. The multiple washes take the work away from photography, something they feel adds more to their work. 

As per my interpretation, the image depicts a man who is looking down upon Environmentally scarred world which is fallen, barren but magical though. The Anonymous figure is trying to set the fallen world again. The ill fitting suit is a common theme across their images as it comes as a timeless piece. He is very official in pursuit but at the same time not feel right within that package doing things contrary to his dressing.The anonymous figure is the destroyer, creator, scientist and constantly fixing nature.

Another picture which moved me the most is "The Cleaning" :

The cleaning (c)  Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

Here, this image captures the spirit of trying to mend what has gone wrong. I quote them " these photographs tell stories of loss, human struggle, and personal exploration within landscapes scarred by technology and over-use…. [I] strive to metaphorically and poetically link laborious actions, idiosyncratic rituals and strangely crude machines into tales about our modern experience." The photo above quite captures that intent well.

Another thing that motivated them to choose this genre was the landscape in Roswell, New Mexico. Little did they knew that when Tom Barrow, director at institute in New Mexico said that "This landscape will change you" ; this will turn out to be actually true. This is exemplified well in this photo :

Mending the Earth (c)  Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

With the Los Alamos laboratoris in New Mexico, they could see the transformation of nature. That triangulation of humans, technology and nature is clearly depicted above.

Recently, they were also commissioned to create 10th mural for the museum at Worcester Art museum series.The 67 feet inkjet mural "These Days of Maiuma" is iconoclastic of remains of grad feast, irreverent display of wealth and the disrespect for environment.

Mending the Earth (c)  Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

The symbolism and the grandeur left me awestruck.

After Architect's brother, they have also worked on images depicted in color which showcase their work even better. Color adds that extra dimension to their message. Another work from their contemporary art which I find the most moving is "The Summer Arm" 

The Summer Arm (c)  Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

This beautifully shows how nature, technology and humans can coexist with each other. I am very impressed with their work which can be admired for hours. Specifically, the names of photographs are so mesmerizing and keep the mystery alive. At the same time, the conservation message is echoed very well across all photos. I hope this human kind takes a message from this.