The Pear Series

The Pear Series

The Pear Series photographs, works on Polaroid film.

Emotion can be a significant component in a photograph, the medium captures humanity in all of it's raw and varied forms. I chose to express the commonality of our human experience through my "Pear Series" photographs, works on Polaroid.

This body of work allowed me to communicate particular feelings through the vehicle of the fruit. It's feminine form spoke to compassion and nurturing, while the violations present in the work represent the destructive nature of man, both the individual and the species.

One pear is pierced by pins as a metaphor for the pain of the human experience. Shot on Polaroid film.

One pear is pierced by pins as a metaphor for the pain of the human experience. Shot on Polaroid film.

The piece at left, "Prickly Pear" represents the later. The concept came to me, as often was the case, in a quick vision after a long period of gestation. The execution of the image was nearly as quick. In this case, I abandoned notions of beauty and technique for the visceral and the emotional.

The background forms were found objects in my studio. I liked the idea of a contained space, however I also created windows, providing some relief - both literal and conceptual - for the otherwise confrontational nature of the image.

I choose color Polaroid film as my primary medium for these works. The degenerative look of the low resolution Polaroid suited my vision for the Pears; soft, textural and inviting, though again, in contrast to the sometimes conflicted and emotional direction of the series.

Nude PearSplit Pear #2

In some of the series I acquiesce to the notion of beauty, striving to make a pleasing or sensual  photograph while still addressing the concept or emotion. Such is the case with "Nude Pear" and "Split Pear #2", left and right respectively.

Published and Shows:

Exhibition fine art prints are available, email for more details. View the Pear Gallery here.

Please feel free to comment below. Thanks!


12 Responses to “The Pear Series”

  1. Dave Chapple says:

    When do we see the gallery opening on this series? Is Polaroid still looking for a Creative director? Maybe you’re it man……

    · September 5, 2015 @ 9:45 pm

    Reply

  2. Michael says:

    Really like your work Russ; the subjects, the colors and textures, and the humor. Always look forward to your updates.

    MJ

    · September 5, 2015 @ 9:51 pm

    Reply

    • Russ Widstrand says:

      Thanks Michael!

      · September 5, 2015 @ 10:04 pm

      Reply

  3. Russ says:

    Thanks Dave. Have you seen the documentary movie on the resurrection of Polaroid film, worth the watch.

    http://timezeromovie.com/2014/08/04/time-zero-now-available-on-all-popular-video-on-demand-services/

    · September 5, 2015 @ 9:59 pm

    Reply

  4. Barbara says:

    Beautiful photographs. Loved the color, the sensuality, their sly evocativeness, and their intellectuality.

    · September 5, 2015 @ 11:41 pm

    Reply

    • Russ Widstrand says:

      Thanks Barbara. Feel free to share with your interior designer friends.

      · September 8, 2015 @ 9:41 pm

      Reply

  5. Jason Halstead says:

    Really stunning and beautiful work, Russ. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a photographer do such a personal and conceptual series. Love the color, forms, and the use of found objects…as well as the use of Polaroid. Always loved those unexpected nuances. In fact, in the “old days” art directing, there were several times I scanned the Polaroid pulls and abandoned the actual film for projects. I’m fascinated by Polaroid’s reintroduction of its “instant cameras” in digital form. Not just the return to simplicity, but to the idea that we might not want a digital record anywhere…not even on a flash card.

    · September 8, 2015 @ 9:08 pm

    Reply

    • Russ Widstrand says:

      Thanks Jason, I appreciated your thoughtful comment. Now if I could only get a gallery to bite.

      · September 8, 2015 @ 9:39 pm

      Reply

  6. Dennis Gilliam says:

    Russ,

    Your penetration into the multi-faceted world of the pear is visually stunning. But even more, the photographs represent a reflection of the human experience in a crisp and powerful format. The outer peel and the string spoke to me. One about the first-blush simplicity we attach to humanity and the second to the complexity of knowing another on a deeper level.

    · September 9, 2015 @ 12:00 am

    Reply

    • Russ says:

      Thanks Dennis!

      · September 9, 2015 @ 1:04 am

      Reply

  7. Mary Ord says:

    Russ, what beautiful and intellectual work you continue to do! It is great to see!

    · September 17, 2015 @ 9:04 pm

    Reply

    • Russ Widstrand says:

      Thanks Mary! Hope you and Tim are well.

      · September 17, 2015 @ 9:09 pm

      Reply

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