Can’t Get There from Here: Philip E. Griffith’s Photography on Display at Paperworkers Local
Philip E. Griffith has an eye for abandoned beauty and the curious calling of rusty roadside tableaus. The fine art photographer and Birmingham resident’s exhibit Can’t Get There From Here, currently on display at Paperworkers Local in Forest Park, spans two years and two states, from Alabama to Mississippi from 2012 to 2014. On display through Sept. 13, Griffith’s photographs explore back roads, forgotten landscapes and human detritus.
“My roadside environments are obviously found while searching the highways and back roads, and some might even call my work documentary style, but that is a long way from the truth,” photographer Philip E. Griffith wrote on his blog, philipegriffith.com. “My work does not come from the ‘anytime and anyplace’ snapshot mindset, it’s not coincidence or a random event. My imagery is about a very precise intersection of time and place, capturing a unique environment through both light and composition.”
Griffith, who was born in Illinois, explained that his yen for taking the road less traveled grew out of his experience as a student at the University of Montevallo where he was inspired by the overgrown landscape photographed on the cover of REM’s album Murmur as well as the southern climate’s propensity to nurture oceans of climbing vines.
“The landscape engulfed by kudzu was something we walked by or drove through everyday, it did not exist ‘somewhere else,’ it was right in our backyard,” Griffith wrote.
Can’t Get There From Here attempts to preserve what Griffith considers “our (rapidly) disappearing southern landscape.” The effect is as mystical and inspiring as it is heartbreaking.
Can’t Get There From Here is on display at Paperworkers Local, 3815 Clairmont Ave. S. Gallery hours are Monday 6-8 p.m., Wednesday 1-5 p.m., Thursday 5-8 p.m. and Friday 12-5 p.m. For more information, visit paperworkerslocal.blogspot.com.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Reflections of Generosity–Reflections of the Soul — Samford Art Gallery. 800 Lakeshore Dr. This exhibit reflects the post-Sept. 11, 2001, conflicts from the perspective of U.S. armed forces. Organized by Sgt. Ron Kelsey, the pieces were created by soldiers during art therapy while confronting post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and transitioning back into society. Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., through Sept. 29. Free. For more information, visit samford.edu.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Artist Lecture: David Maisel — Abroms–Engel Institute for the Visual Arts. 1221 10th Ave. S. As part of the Judith and Harold Lecture Series, the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts presents artist David Maisel, whose exhibition David Maisel|Black Maps: American Landscape and the Apocalyptic Sublime will be on display at AEIVA until Nov. 14. Maisel may be recognized for his work seen on HBO’s True Detective. The opening reception of Maisel’s exhibit will immediately follow the lecture. 5–8 p.m. Free. For more information, visit uab.edu.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
Slow Art Sunday — Birmingham Museum of Art. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Every Sunday, the Birmingham Museum of Art facilitates a tour and art discussion focusing on a particular piece in the museum’s collection. This Sunday, Docent Clyde Oyster will lead a discussion on Ceremonial Knife (Tumi) from Peru’s Sican culture. 2–3 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Beth Bradley Opening — Rojo. 2921 Highland Ave. S. The opening reception of artist Beth Bradley’s exhibit in Rojo’s side room will allow attendees to meet Bradley and mingle with other art patrons while enjoying Rojo’s dinner and drink menu. 6–10 p.m. Free. For more information, visit rojobirmingham.com.
First Thursdays at the BMA — Birmingham Museum of Art. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. The first Thursday of the month, the Birmingham Museum of Art stays open late to allow the community to enjoy studio classes, docent-led tours and film screenings. This month brings a docent-led tour of Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at Talladega College; a Drop-In and Draw class; and a screening of the film Against the Odds about the visual artists of the Harlem Renaissance. 5:00–9:00 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
Art Crawl — Downtown Birmingham. August’s Art Crawl will feature the usual bevvy of artists, local talent and unique-to-Birmingham businesses. The Crawl will take place at venues across downtown Birmingham including galleries, restaurants and bars and downtown businesses throughout the historic, loft, business, arts and theatre districts. Specials, giveaways and new art are waiting to be discovered around every corner. 5–9 p.m. Free. For more information, visit birminghamartcrawl.com.
ONGOING
Aquatic Dreams — Daniel Day Gallery. 3025 Sixth Ave. S. The Daniel Day Gallery presents this art show centered on all things marine featuring local artists who each have their own take on the theme, Aquatic Dreams. Exhibiting artists include Beth Bradley, William Jeffrey Faulk, Linda Meadows, Luanne Bondarenko and Richard Dimarzo. Tuesday–Friday, 1–6 p.m. and Sunday, 2–6 p.m. through November. Free. For more information, call (205) 731-9420.
Magic City Steel — Naked Art Gallery. 3831 Clairmont Ave. S. Rodney Lawley and Reuben Halpern’s exhibit Magic City Steel displays both artists’ creative bent toward using metal: Flutes and saxophones become lamps, tin siding transforms into metallic canvas and piles of contorted steel bloom into hanging sculptures. Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., through Sept. 18. Free. For more information, visit nakedartusa.com.
Interchanges — The Edge of Chaos. 1700 University Blvd. PaperWorkers Local presents, Interchanges, a new exhibition of paper works at The Edge of Chaos on display through Sept. 30. Displaying artists include Mimi Boston, John Demotte, Jill England, Andy Harris, Tenisha Hicks, Roger Jones, Linda Merry, Michael Merry, D’Arcy Savage, Richard Stockham, Joi West and Cathy Wright. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Through Sept. 30. Free. For more information, email paperworkerslocal@gmail.com.
Layers of Meaning — Birmingham Public Library. 2100 Park Place. The acrylic paintings in Layers of Meaning surge with emotion and energy that reflect the artist’s intuitive process of discovering deeper levels of color, mood and importance. Matthew Mayes explained that the properties of acrylic paint allow each painting to determine its direction and give the artist the opportunity to exercise confidence in his talent and display an impressive array of themes. Closing Sept. 4. For more information, visit bplonline.org.
The Right to Decide — Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts. 1221 10th Ave. S. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, signed into law on August 6, 1965, the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts presents this international poster invitational featuring 62 artists from 25 different countries with never-before-seen posters on display through Nov. 16. Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. Free. For more information, visit uab.edu.