Night Photograph by John Vias Wins Award in Gordon Parks Tribute Exhibition

A night photograph by John Vias titled "Large Boat Winch" earned a Juror Award in the Joyce Gordon Gallery's "Glimpses in Time" exhibition, which runs August 1-31, 2007. The gallery will host a reception in Oakland, California, on Friday, August 3, 4:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) July 28, 2007 -- "Large Boat Winch," a night photograph by John Vias, earned a Juror Award in the Joyce Gordon Gallery's "Glimpses in Time" exhibition. The juror was Stephen Wirtz, owner of the prestigious Stephen Wirtz Gallery in San Francisco.

A reception will be held Friday, August 3, 2007, 4:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The public is invited; Vias expects to attend.

The Joyce Gordon Gallery is located at 406 - 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612, two blocks from the 12th Street BART station. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Glimpses in Time - A Juried Photography Exhibition in Honor of Gordon Parks" recognizes the late artist for his significant accomplishments as a world-renowned photographer, as well as journalist, filmmaker, novelist, poet, composer, and librettist, who significantly impacted many generations of artists. The exhibition drew over 200 entries from as far away as Great Britain and South Korea. Vias's entry was among the 66 selected for inclusion.

"Large Boat Winch" was captured at the Berkeley Marina. In this painterly image, a rust red winch used to lower small boats into San Francisco Bay and haul them out again rests motionless at the water's edge. In the background, the colors of the skylines of Oakland and Emeryville reflect the different types of streetlights in the two cities. Because of the long, three-minute exposure, the waves blend together into a solid void.

On his website, Vias quotes Confucius: "Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." Vias explains, "a central focus of my work is to reveal the beauty in ordinary things." His photographs often feature common objects: a drinking fountain, a highway overpass, park benches.

Vias's home and studio are located in Ocean View, a West Berkeley neighborhood. He describes the area as diverse, providing a wide variety of potential subjects, including a marina, foundry, factories, stores, restaurants, apartments, and houses. The locale supplies much of the subject matter for his work. "Strong lines and unusual shapes draw my eye," Vias said. "The ambiguity of purpose, content, and history of some structures intrigues me."

He captures his night photographs on film with the aid of exposures as long as twenty minutes. Of the surreal colors in some of his images, Vias explains, "they occur through the intersection of film, long exposures, and available light."

About John Vias:

John Vias is an award-winning fine art photographer. He has participated in many regional exhibitions and has been recognized in art and photography competitions. His work hangs in private collections in the US and abroad and can be previewed at his website, www.johnvias.com.

About Joyce Gordon Gallery:

The Joyce Gordon Gallery, located in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, is dedicated to representing and exhibiting inspirational and gifted artists who challenge us all to grow, think, and be free. The gallery provides a forum for creative and cultural exchanges that support the creative pursuit of the individual and that seek to make work accessible to a broad audience. More information is available at www.joycegordongallery.com.

Contact:

John Vias

510-847-4465

http://www.johnvias.com

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