Life’s Work: Occupations and Identity by Maundy Mitchell will be on exhibit in New Hampton School’s Galletly Gallery from January 7 – January 31, 2020. The public is cordially invited to a reception for the artist on Friday, January 17, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
Portraiture and inspiration
“Irving Penn’s photographic series “Small Trades” captured working people of the early 1950s, in their work clothes, with the tools of their trades. In her new series “Life’s Work,” portrait photographer Maundy Mitchell effortlessly captures the spirit of Penn’s vision and brings it into the 21st century,” reflects artist and author Marcia Santore. “Mitchell evokes Penn’s use of grayscale and soft light, her subjects shown full length, looking at the camera, holding their tools with the confidence of their expertise. Both series are a kind of social history, documenting the work and the workers of different times, but Mitchell has broadened the definition of “worker” to include more types of work (librarian, chemical technician, jewelry designer), as well as women in roles Penn would not have imagined: minister, veterinarian, police officer. She honors Penn’s inspiration while expressing her own respect and appreciation for the humanity and individuality of each person.”
Lifes’ Work: Occupations and Identity is a series of portraits of 35 people created in Plymouth NH; Paris, France; and London, England over the last two years.
Mitchell elaborates: “I explored the work of Irving Penn by retracing many of his choices. I found points where I diverged from him. Penn felt no obligation to make his subjects look kind or attractive. Finding beauty in everyone is my personal compass. In this work, I sought not only to photograph the person, their tools and the uniform of the labor but their dignity as well.”
About the artist
Mitchell, an internationally acclaimed portrait photographer and Associate Level Photographer with The Portrait Masters International, runs her portrait studio Maundy Mitchell Photography in Plymouth, NH. Her photos have been published in magazines, on billboards, and online nationally and internationally. She is a member of the Professional Photographer’s Association of America, the National Association of Professional Child Photographers, the Magic Hour Foundation Photographer Network, and the Women’s Caucus for Art in New Hampshire. She holds a trademark on the phrase, “People are Beautiful”, which is her core belief as a photographer.
Visit the exhibit
The exhibit is free and open to the public. The Galletly Gallery is located on the second floor of New Hampton School’s Moore Center. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.
Founded in 1821, New Hampton School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school of 315 students who come from over 28 states and 30 countries. An International Baccalaureate school, New Hampton School cultivates lifelong learners who will serve as active global citizens. Students benefit from an average class size of 11 and a student-faculty ratio of five to one. For more information, please visit www.newhampton.org.
