Westward Ho!

Native New Yorker that I am, I always fantasized about the American Southwest; and truth be told, twas one of the major reasons I moved to San Francisco- to have it that much more accessible. And disappoint in large part, it has not! Although gentrifying like every other goddang thing in this world, it still retains much of it's inherent character, from: its  rugged terrain and landscape, to the individual idiosyncrasies of its often sparse but ever growing population. 

Photo: © Ingeborg Gerdes

Ann Jastrab has curated a timely group show called Westward on just that particular parcel of Americana with an impressive array of female photographers. Of these, Ingeborg Gerdes was my personal fave, concentrating on the inherent humor and irony found in many of the most isolated of desert environs- and her B&W silver based prints are things of beauty and nuance (not so evident online) well worth seeing in person. Greta Pratt's work also embraces humor, as well as more serious tones in her portraits of a diversified West that varies in its customs and peoples. Both of these photographers, as well as several others, offer insightful  views into an ethos both well earned and misconstrued...

Photo: © Greta Pratt

Addendum: In the the crowd and hubbub of opening night, the true nature of Donna J. Wan's work completely escaped my notice- and important work it is... Fortunately, I always make a point of returning to shows I really like to prevent just such omissions both large and small- and you got plenty of time to catch this one at San Francisco City Hall, 5/11/18-5/10/19.