Artist of the Month: Carolyn Barnwell

Home, Redefined:

360 Degrees of Beauty and Generosity

This collection of photographs is a small sample from 10,000 images spanning nine countries, 23 islands, and 76 different beds (or floors!) slept on over more than a year of experiential research.  The most congruous theme running through this nomadic journey was that Carolyn received generous hospitality from others and found beauty each and every day.  This has inspired her to share portraits of some of the families and children she spent time with, and moments of striking natural beauty from remote locations in Asia, the Pacific, and Southern Africa.

While a student at Middlebury College, Carolyn received fellowships to study in Asia in 2005-’06 and to do worldwide research in 2007-’08.  She tried to look beyond literature about development and climate change to how human lives are affected.  If she has learned one overarching lesson in her international studies, it is that you can never do holistic research projects without going to your study sites in person to experience all the complexities for yourself.  She dove into this by always choosing to live with local families rather than in hostels or dorms.  There is no substitute for cultural participation— lack of privacy, unfamiliar expectations, shocking food, family tensions, and all.

Through these images, Carolyn hopes to emphasize the rewards of communal life.  She specifically remembers crossing a mental threshold where she no longer felt like she was traveling, but just living… and finding home in the present.  Oftentimes this was through shared gestures and understanding that defy language barriers.  There were always interesting everyday interactions to appreciate and photograph leisurely because she was included and safe.  The most memorable moments were irreducible to a camera shot: the vast turquoise ocean enveloping her small fishing boat; an entire village sitting in a circle passing around a bowl of kava and laughing by firelight; having a church choir surround and sing to her while she lay on the floor waiting for an ambulance…

She hopes the color and the life in these images serve as a celebration of joy and awe.  She’d like to dedicate this exhibit to all of her hosts and friends around the world who made her feel at home and offered countless graces.

Carolyn’s photographs will be on display for the entire month of November. Carolyn will host a special opening event on Friday, November 13, during the Middlebury Arts Walk. Local bands Scrambled Legs and Fat Baby will provide music for your enjoyment. Please see the events calendar for more information.