Waseca Art Gallery exhibit shows father and son photographers

A Sept. 12 open house at the Waseca Art Center introduced a pair of new exhibits at the Waseca Art Center (WAC). Titled  “Generational Confluence IV,” the exhibits feature photography by Wes Taylor, 57, an instructor at Mankato’s South Central Community College, and his son James Wesley Taylor, 21, of Provo, Utah. Their photography will be on display through Oct. 9. 

 

During the open house, the elder Taylor stated he was particularly impressed with the WACs wide open space and lighting: “I hope all Wasecans can appreciate what you guys have here; usually when I see galleries this nice and well-lit, it’s up in the Twin Cities.” The Waseca showing is the fourth time the father and son have had their work on display simultaneously. Wes, who is featured in the Harguth Gallery, said he got his start in photography when he was 19:  “I was volunteering in Switzerland when I was younger. Someone recommended I buy a camera, and I learned it’s impossible to take a bad photo in Switzerland.” He commented lightheartedly that he switched majors in college because he thought the girls were prettier. 

 

He told the group gathered at the open house that he originally thought he would be in southern Minnesota for only three or four years, “But it’s been 27 years, and I think the locals have pretty much accepted me by now.” 

 

One photo of his titled “Hot Rod,” features an old car in a garage amidst an explosion of color; Wes explained it was created by combining 78 different photos. He pointed to another photo of a pair of binoculars, “That photo consists of 28 different pictures.” He said he takes the brightest section from each photograph, then puts them all together.

 

James Wesley Taylor, Utah State University graduate, and a Mankato native has been taking photos in a professional sense since he was 14 or 15; he told the audience his early work was mostly portraiture. But he said he’s been taking photographs since he was six or so. Owner of Digital Alchemy Photography, he creates “expressive, story-driven portraits and event photography that celebrates connection and individuality.” He says his favorite camera to use is Fuji Film X23. His father also uses Fuji, and in his words, “But I also shot with a Nikon for 26 years and didn’t really have any issues.”

 

Mikhail Rostislavovich, WAC president, said, “Their work stands side by side not only as individual expressions, but as a testament to the ways photography can bridge generations, spark conversation and deepen our understanding of ourselves and one another.” In looking at all the photos, it was discussed what the major differences between the father’s photos and James’s were. The suggestion was offered that Wes, in his longer years of taking pictures, has learned to present a sense of “grit” that can be taken from his work. James’s pictures seem to come out a little cleaner. Although this is one setting where the word ‘cleaner’ might be seen as a negative, that is not the case. Both look to be heavyweights in the photography world, and those in attendance hope they continue their work.