Equine Essence

By Suzanne Révy

For centuries, the horse was a frequent subject of art. And why not? The horse provided humanity with the means for drafting heavy loads, transportation, hunting, warfare and sport. By the mid-twentieth century, however, with the rise of the automobile, our broad dependance on the horse waned, yet its appearance as a subject of artful scrutiny did not diminish. These gorgeous, powerful animals hold sway in our imaginations, particularly in western myth. E. Caballus: The Domesticated Horse at the Griffin Museum of Photography presents the work of seven artists, Mary Aiu, Chris Aluka Berry, Anne M. Connor, Susan Irene Correia, Landry Major, Ivan B. McClellan and Keron Psillas Oliveira, who explore contemporary equine culture through a broad array of photographic methods, on view through February 27th, 2022.

From the series Second Chances: Josh’s Salvation by Chris Aluka Berry, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

From the series Second Chances: Josh’s Salvation by Chris Aluka Berry, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“A Horse Named Grace” by Anne M. Connor, from the series Equus: The Horse, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“Can You Hear Me Now” by Anne M. Connor, from the series Equus The Horse, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“Racing the Storm” by Landry Major, from the series Keepers of the West, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

(Featured Image) From the series Winter Horses by Landry Major, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

From the series Eight Seconds by Ivan B. McClellan, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

From the series Eight Seconds by Ivan  B. McClellan, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Chris Aluka Berry, Anne M. Connor, Landry Major and Ivan B. McClellan all employ a traditional documentary approach. Berry’s color prints depict Joshua Reynolds, who qualified for the Thoroughbred Retirement Program while incarcerated to learn the care of a retired race horse. The pictures vacillate between the isolation of prison life and the emotional bonds that form between a human and an animal. Anne M. Connor’s humorous explorations of the horse abound with a childlike wonder. And in return, her horses meet our gaze as if they are just as curious about the viewer. Landry’s black and white silver gelatin prints evoke a certain nostalgia for the lore of settling the western U.S.. Selections from two bodies of work, including a striking study of a herd of running horses in snow, reveal an aching for a long lost way of life. Finally, Ivan B. McClellan’s dynamic series Eight Seconds occupies the entire back wall of the main gallery with a riveting set of pictures made at a Black rodeo. Late day light illuminates the iconic gestures between horse and rider to expand and include people of color in the pantheon of the American cowboy. 

“Among the Aspen Trees” by Mary Aiu from the series Unbridled: The Horse at Liberty, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“Dance of the Lusitano” by Mary Aiu from the series Unbridled: The Horse at Liberty, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“Stallion in a Whirlwind” by Susan Irene Correia from the series Power – Dance with Beauty, Play with Abandon, Be Loved, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

“Whirligig” by Susan Irene Correia, from the series Power – Dance with Beauty, Play with Abandon, Be Loved, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Mary Aiu, Susan Irene Correia and Keron Psillas Oliviera bring eyes for form and color in reverence for the equine figure. Aiu’s horses in motion are gossamer and ethereal studies that stun in their beauty. Her subtle prints whisper in the softness of a moving mane or tail. Correia’s large slick prints revel in the magnificent form that is the essence of these domesticated beasts. And Oliviera’s sublime prints are matched only by the extraordinarily well-bred Lusitano horses she photographs. A lifelong equestrian with deep knowledge of the breed, Oliviera, who lives in Portugal, seeks to reveal the spirit of each animal. Her exquisitely crafted photographs are elevated by precisely rendered details presented in both platinum/palladium and muted color prints that boast a breathtaking, elongated mid-tone range. 

From the series Cavallo Lusitano: The Spirit Within by Keron Psillas Oliviero, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

From the series Cavallo Lusitano: The Spirit Within by Keron Psillas Oliviero, courtesy of the artist and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Outgoing Griffin Executive Director and Curator Paula Tognarelli has created a celebratory installation of seven solo shows that bask in admiration for the equine character. Our symbiotic relationship with these tenacious and elegant creatures fuels the artistry here and the horse fans among us will undoubtedly take great delight in the range of photographs on display. While you are there, be sure to check out the selection of artist books in the 12th Annual Self-Published Photobook Show in the Griffin Atelier Gallery, which includes a wide sampling well crafted tomes, and Garden Whimsy in the Griffin Gallery, Silke Hase’s solo exhibit of delightful Ziatype prints, which we reviewed earlier this week (https://www.whatwillyouremember.com/silke-hase-garden-whimsy-at-griffin-museum-of-photography-winchester-ma/). 

For more information: https://griffinmuseum.org/show/e-caballus-the-domesticated-horse/