Sam Barrow — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Sep 14

Sep 14 Sam Barrow

Biography

Sam Barrow was born, and currently resides, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Today he works as a self-taught, fine art landscape and creative portrait photographer. His formal training and work are in the earth sciences, landscape architecture and music and he draws upon all of these experiences in his work. Working intuitively, his work has been recognized for transmuting terrain into atmospheric and often painterly photographs that reveal a universe more dynamic and alive than our daily experiences allow us to perceive. As well as permanent gallery displays in Christchurch, Sam continues to exhibit and sell his work internationally.

Artist Statement

My natural way of communicating is through harmony and serenity, and photography is my way of embracing the subtle voice of my homeland. By nurturing and honoring my personal connection with a location, rather than attempting to document the environment on first appearances, I find the earth is more inclined to quietly speak what she most needs us to hear. With patience and openness, the land willingly offers up the mysterious – present moments full of extra-sensory colors, textures and spatial depth that might otherwise remain hidden. It's a magical ‘Between World’ that I’m looking to unveil – a world that is in fact far more vital and real than our everyday three-dimensional illusory experience would have us believe.
I photograph predominantly in low light, always guided strongly by heart-centered intuition. I wait for highly-charged atmospheres and often slow the shutter speed while using a variety of other in- and out-of-camera techniques to emphasize proportion and placement over decoration.

Website www.sambarrow@xtra.co.nz

Instagram www.instagram.com/photographybysambarrow