On Saturday June 7, photographer Kharen Hill is presenting a solo exhibition entitled "OUT THE WINDOW (5 Days in Kenya)", a photography series she shot during a five day trip to Kenya. Kharen documented multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award winning band Jars of Clay as they visited their Blood:Water mission projects in Africa. Kharen accompanied the band as they toured through Kenya, and she documented her trip as she traveled through the country and became captivated by the scenery around her. As the trip progressed Kharen quickly became fixated by photographing these vignettes of scenery, actions and stillness as her bus drove by them. These images became the start of a story; one of travel, one of enduring impressions and one of the ability to take in found moments as quickly as they appeared. The photographs presented layers of a culture to be contemplated, enjoyed and discussed further on down the road.
"OUT THE WINDOW (5 Days in Kenya)" demonstrates "unfinished business" and a fresh unfettered perspective on the subject matter. The viewer is left pondering what occurred in these moments just after the photographer continued on her journey. Because there was no interruption, the images are powerful on their own in telling a story of the moment and at the same time we feel a connection to the subjects and a culture portrayed intimately and at close range. "My whole commercial photography career is spent creating artistic photographs of the most photogenic and visually interesting people in the world. 'OUT THE WINDOW' has become the opportunity to see the world and my travels in found moments that are uncontrived and appear magically before me." - says Hill about her "OUT THE WINDOW" exhibition.
A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the photos will go to benefit Blood:Water, the nonprofit organization founded by Jars of Clay and activist Jena Lee Nardella. Blood:Water began as a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. Blood:Water is an equipping agency that partners with African grassroots organizations to address the HIV/AIDS and water crises by identifying Africa's hidden heroes and coming alongside their vision for change. Through technical, financial and organizational support, they expand the reach and effectiveness of African civil society organizations and the communities in which they serve.
With Hill's background of award-winning portraits of celebrities, musicians and powerful figures in our society her visual choices lead us to a different place we would not see without her lens and perspective. This snapshot bears no resemblance to ideas one might have imagined life to appear like in Africa. She paves the way for the audience and draws them in.
Image: Kharen Hill "Cable 66" 48" x 72"
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