The Foothills Arts Council has held gallery exhibits of two artists before, but never before an exhibit by mother and son — until now.
“Next of Kin,” the photography of Elkin-native Kimberly Seipel-Parks and her 6-year-old son, Henry, opens with a reception on Friday, Aug. 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The black and white photography, both 35mm and large format, shown by Kimberly includes a documentary series about her grandparents, who lived in Elkin, and a series of self-portraits that portray the stereotypical roles of women in a way that is both romanticized and, at times, uncomfortable. The Holga-esque color digital photography shown by Henry will include a collection of still-life and landscape images taken from his unique perspective.
Seipel-Parks fell in love with photography in college while studying graphic design. It wasn’t long before her passion and eye for photography became evident. Kimberly promptly changed majors and three years later graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design as Photographer of the Year, in 2000, with her BFA in Photography.
“I am always drawn to people when I shoot. I want to tell a story, whether it is through a straight documentary project or through a series of staged self-portraits,” said Seipel-Parks .
She said she wants the viewer to feel a connection to the people in the photographs and to be drawn in to their stories.
Because Seipel-Parks is a photographer and both she and her husband, Joe, are avid art lovers, they felt it was important to expose their first son, Henry, to art a young age. He has had paint, pastels and even a camera since he has been old enough to hold them and has been taking photographs since he was 2.
“He takes his photographs completely on his own. I never know what he has shot until he asks me to download the images from his memory card. I think that he has a very sophisticated eye for composition and subject matter,” Seipel-Parks said.
The reception is free and will feature live music from Not Your Ordinary with Elkin Creek Vineyard on hand for pouring. The Foothills Arts Council is located at 129 Church St., Elkin.
For more information, visit www.foothillsartscouncil.org.
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