ARTIST STATEMENT
The land of Hawaii is vast, luxurious, and idyllic but past the wanderlust images the land is very controversial. The growing population and tourism continues to threaten the space and its ability to accommodate all the occupants. The industrial growth happening in Hawaii goes beyond simply manipulating the landscape; it destroys the historical records and spiritual places that have existed there for millions of years. Through these photographs of The Invasive Species of the Built Environment, the attention focuses on the spaces that these infrastructures impede on the natural environment, instead of colors of the idyllic Hawaii.
Using silver gelatin prints which consist of selected, man made spaces that have been removed, creating a burnt and sometimes empty area. The use of a laser cutter to cut the structure from the landscape leaves a scar upon the image. The removed spaces aid in seeing what Hawaii would be like without these impositions. No longer should humanity build for the sake of building; but should instead question the social and political concerns that exist in the natural world.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Leah Schretenthaler was born and raised in Hawaii. After relocating to the mainland, Hawaii continues to be a point of reference for her research and studio practice. Her work uses traditional photography, laser etching, and metal casting to create images. Through her art practice, her research presents a connection between land, material, and performance.
Schretenthaler completed her BFA degree from the University of South Dakota and holds a Masters degree in art education from Boston University. Recently she received her MFA and is currently teaching in Wisconsin.
She has been named one of LensCulture’s Emerging Talents of 2018 and was awarded 2nd place in the Sony World Photography Awards. In 2019, she was awarded the Rhonda Wilson Award through FRESH2019 at the Klompching Gallery. In the of Fall 2019, she received the Film Photo Award. Her work has been displayed nationally and internationally including Kahilu Theater (Waimea, HI), Washington Pavillion (Sioux Falls, SD), Manifest (Cincinnati, OH), The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (Providence, RI), Center for Fine Art Photography (Fort Collins, CO), SOHO Gallery (New York, NY), as well as the Somerset House (London).”
© Leah Schretenthaler