Essay

Since the 1970’s artists around the world have been experimenting with digital art through the use of modern technology. Today in the 21^st century, technology is used throughout art as a way to enhance visual language and impact the viewer. Artists have started experimenting with different photographic media instead of painting or drawing as a way of exemplifying surrealism and creating a more realistic dream atmosphere. Technology in art can vary from photographic devices, lighting, and forms of projection and instillation, film and photo imaging software. Tom Chambers, a talented photographer known for his exceptional photomontage artworks, expresses ideas about a distorted reality and displays surrealistic imagery to create a reminiscent link between his artwork and the viewer. His works convey a vast array of visual affects that have been produced using this new alternative art making process. Tom Chambers is trying to communicate though art, the delicate stages a child goes through while growing up. He has the ability to display this more powerfully through photomontage as it allows him to enhance the visual language intricately, developing his works to conjure a memory or scene familiar to most viewers.

“Rite of Passage” depicts a surrealistic viewpoint of childhood and the link between mankind and nature. He explores these ideas focusing on the rate at which we are losing touch with our natural and spiritual awareness. Chambers asks, “Why do people costumed in formal dress seem so omnipotent on the street, yet so vulnerable in the wild?” (Tom Chambers Official, 14/10/10) He uses photo imaging software, subtle lighting and carefully staged camera angles to create images reminiscent of various emotional childhood memories. He carefully plans his image through sketching and then takes a photo of each individual component as well as a background. Once all the pieces are complete, he uses Photoshop software to overlay, blend and reassemble each individual photo to then harmonise the complete artwork by adjusting certain lighting or contrasting aspects. Chambers delicately creates surrealistic photography by rearranging separate images to create a particular scene far from reality. His work is enhanced by the visual affects added through technology. Lighting, shadow and contrast play a significant role in conveying his message and they are only made possible by using technology.

"Night Light" by Tom Chambers, Photomontage

The image Night Light is reminiscent of a childhood memory. This quality has been achieved through the use of surrealistic imagery, and visual language. The focal point is the body of a girl wearing a delicate formal dress, brightly lit by fairy lights that have been draped around her, almost as if she were a Christmas tree. Due to the particular camera angle, only the bottom half of her face is visible taking away a complete representation of expression. In doing this, Chambers has created a sense of mystery and vulnerability. You are both unaware of how she is expressing herself but very much aware of her fear through the way she is holding her body. The landscape is a grassy, inland area and the lighting in the sky suggests a lonely, isolated atmosphere. Placing this young girl in the spotlight in this isolated landscape has created a strong sense of vulnerability. The elegance of her warm coloured dress juxtaposed against the grassy, cool outback environment is harmonized through a strong contrasting light scheme that enhances the focal point whilst subtly adding to the surrealistic ambiance. There is a dark eerie mood hinting at feelings of vulnerability and desperation or the need to hide. This young girl, obviously, is in an unwanted spotlight and this is demonstrated through her posture, she is awkwardly holding her dress like a nervous child in front of a crowd, she is also slouching her head and shoulders is an effortless drag. It seems as if she is worried about something that isn’t really worth worrying about, maybe she feels as if the worlds eyes are on her. The aspect of this image, expressing the transformation from being a teenager to becoming a woman, is strengthened through the positioning of the girl in this particular scene. In the background the sky is dark and the colours are producing a strong contrast, creating an unknown presence. It seems as if there is a spirit there, that herself and the dog are unaware of, but are definitely feeling the weight of it. The sky is dark and this hints at a storm brewing. This could be the start of something tragic, or maybe just a step toward something new. The girl appears as though she is being hesitantly pushed into adulthood, something she isn’t ready for. The purity in this image is strengthened through the natural ecosystem that is “warning” her. Almost a warning from Mother Nature herself, it’s time for her to mature physically, but mentally she isn’t ready. This spiritual awareness being presented could possibly be Mother Nature. This image, through the use of technology has positioned the viewer to engage in this surrealistic view on transforming and growing as an individual.

"Foggy River" by Tom Chambers, Photomontage

This image Foggy River by Tom Chambers is another that subtly displays the diversity of technology present throughout the art making process. Chambers’ vivid, surrealistic expression intertwined through his images helps to convey a message sometimes difficult to see in reality. This image is quite simply of a girl delicately floating in a river alone. She appears not dead, but immersed in a hyper-reality or at peace with her spiritual self… ready to wake to a refreshed life: perhaps adulthood. Through the use of photo imaging software, Chambers has the ability to create a scene that “mythically illustrates” the “delicate transition experienced by a child passing into adolescence and then adulthood” (Burn Magazine, 15/10/10). His delicately assembled photomontages express some aspects of their strong, surrealistic quality through the use of contrasts of warm and cool colours, though he subtly harmonises this through the gentle de-saturation of the original photographs. Due to the technology used in this image, the visual language is enhanced to give the viewer the opportunity to conjure a memory or particular emotion or event from their childhood. The lighting creates a focal point of a girl floating in the river, as the young girls tranquil skin and fragile gown are obviously much brighter than the water and trees she lays amongst. The pure colours radiating from her create an aura of complete serenity. The eerie atmosphere of the lake/river gives the impression that something bewildering is developing, unaware and vulnerable, the girl lays completely exposed to the world she can’t control. Without the use of technology through the art making process in this image, the harmonious contrast and surreal atmosphere would not have been conjured if he had painted it. The need for photography and Photoshop is vital to Chambers works, as they need the real life link between the image and the viewer’s memory.

"Springtime Landfall" by Tom Chambers, Photomontage

The image Springtime Landfall by Tom Chambers creates a nostalgic ambience through the divine surroundings of the natural and spiritual world, as the girl appears immersed in her instinctual self as the blindfold forces her to focus on her sense of hearing and smell. The landscape he has created from individual photographs has come together to create a scene you could only imagine in your dreams. He has enhanced the surreal, dream-like atmosphere amplifying the girl’s inability to escape. This image presents symbolism through various aspects of the image, one being the two birds flying overhead, that all together are brilliant in conveying a message; the sum is greater than it’s parts. These birds seem to be guiding her decisions, representing a figure of importance or guidance in her life. Chamber’s has focused on the symbolic aspect of the photomontage through the careful and tedious use of Adobe’s Photoshop to harmonise this image as a complete photograph and artwork. The focal point of the image is of a young adolescent girl, blindfolded and trying to row a boat over a dusty, grassland. She appears quite calm and aware of her surroundings only through her sense of sound. She appears effortless in her actions to escape, presenting the idea that she is in a peaceful state of oblivion, perhaps, enjoying the sounds of the seagulls flying above. Her lack of sight could perhaps be symbolic of a heightened awareness of the natural world that she has complete dependentcy upon. Again, as seen in the other photographs, Chamber’s has created a unified work through the de-saturation of colour, harmonising both contrasting warm and cool. The placement of the flowerbed in the rowboat suggests her natural growth as a woman. Mother Nature has planted her and is now at the adolescent stage, allowing her to blossom as a mature woman. The lighting and cloudy shadows throughout the sky in the background indicates that something hugely significant is approaching. The blindfold is symbolic of her vulnerability as a child, not seeing her near future of adulthood from a mile away. She is completely unprepared, but nature doesn’t wait. It seems as if this new ulterior life is approaching sooner than anticipated. The boat mounted on land represents her inability to escape the forced maturity and this is enhanced through the use of photo imaging. It is almost unrecognisable that she doesn’t really belong, creating the eerie, unsure atmosphere of the overall artwork.

Through the use of technology, Tom Chambers is able to assemble photographs, creating scenes reminiscent of childhood with a surrealistic, dream like quality. In using photo-imaging software Chambers has place together multiple images to enhance symbolism and make sure every part of the image is exactly where he wants it. He has achieved this with his delicate editing, whilst harmonising the entire artworks individually through the use of colour as well. Tom Chambers’ artworks present mythical illustrations and trigger the viewer’s imagination or memory and emotion. Through the use of technology Chamber’s is able to focus on the delicate state between adolescence and adulthood and transform an individual artwork to present this concept to a viewer through visual language.

Bibliography

Burn Magazine (2010) http://www.burnmagazine.org/?s=tom+chambers (15/10/10)

FOLIO Hunt (2010) http://www.foliohunt.com/2009/08/tom-chambers-richmond-virginia/ (13/10/10)

Kimberley Brooks (2010) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberly-brooks/photographys-sex-change-t_b_99886.html (14/10/10)

Tom Chambers Photography (2010) http://www.tomchambersphoto.com/ (14/10/10)

Draft

Since the 1970’s artists around the world have been experimenting with digital art through the use of modern technology. Today in the 21^st century, technology is used throughout art as a way to enhance visual language and impact the viewer. Technology in art can vary from photographic devices, lighting, and forms of projection and instillation, film and photo imaging software. Tom Chambers, a talented photographer known for his exceptional photomontage artworks expresses ideas about a distorted reality and flaunts surrealistic imagery through the delicate use of technology. His works convey a vast array of visual affects that have been produced using this new alternative art making process.

Through the use of technology, Tom Chambers has produced and visually enhanced his body of work “Rite of Passage” to depict a surrealistic viewpoint of childhood and the link between mankind and nature. He explores these ideas focusing on the rate at which we are losing touch with our natural and spiritual awareness. Chambers immerses his artwork in the question of “Why do people costumed in formal dress seem so omnipotent on the street, yet so vulnerable in the wild?” (Tom Chambers, 2010) He uses photo imaging software, subtle lighting and tedious camera angles to create images reminiscent of various emotional childhood memories. Through the analysis of three images from this particular body of work, he has flaunted the use of technology as a means of subtly enhancing the visual language to alter the viewer’s perception.

The image Night Light by Tom Chambers is reminiscent of a childhood memory. This quality has been presented through the use of a surrealistic aspect of imagery, and visual language. The focal point of this image is the body of a girl wearing a delicate formal dress. She is brightly lit by fairy lights that have been draped around her, almost as if she were a Christmas tree. This has become the focal point due to the underlying light being revealed from beneath the gown. Due to the particular camera angle, only the bottom half of her face is visible taking away a complete representation of expression. The landscape in which the girl is immersed is a grassy, inland area that through the lighting in the sky creates a lonely, isolated atmosphere. Placing this young girl in the spotlight of this isolated habitat has created a strong sense of vulnerability. The elegance of her dress and the grassy outback environment she is placed in is an example of subtle juxtaposition between cool and warm colours, harmonized through a strong contrasting light scheme. Through the use of technology, in particular, lighting, this image creates a dark eerie mood in the viewer, hindering on feelings of vulnerability and the desperation or need to hide. This young girl, obviously, is in an unwanted spotlight. It seems as if she is worried about something that is all in her mind, maybe she feels as if the worlds eyes are stuck on her, but by being placed in this isolated environment, it is representing that in reality, no one is watching. The aspect of this image, expressing the transformation from being a teenager to becoming a woman, is strengthened through the positioning of the girl in this particular scene. In the background the sky is dark and the colours are producing a strong contrast, creating an unknown presence. It seems as if there is a spirit there, that herself and the dog are unaware of, but are definitely feeling the weight of it. The sky is dark and this hints on a storm brewing. This could be the start of something tragic, or maybe just a step toward something new. The girl appears as though she is being hesitantly pushed into adulthood, something she isn’t ready for. The purity in this image is strengthened through the natural ecosystem that is “warning” her. Almost a warning from Mother Nature herself, it’s time for her to mature physically, but mentally she isn’t ready. This spiritual awareness being presented could possibly be Mother Nature. This image, through the use of technology has positioned the viewer to engage in this surrealistic view on transforming and growing as an individual.

This image Foggy River by Tom Chambers is another that flaunts the diversity of technology present throughout the art making process. Chambers’ vivid, surrealistic expression intertwined through his images helps to convey a message harder to see through the light of reality. This image is quite simply of a girl delicately floating in a river alone. She appears not dead, but immersed in a hyper-reality or at peace with the spiritual side of herself… ready to wake to yet a refreshed life: perhaps adulthood. Through the use of photo imaging software, he has the ability to create a scene that “mythically illustrates” the “delicate transition experienced by a child passing into adolescence and then adulthood” (Improbable Dreams, 15/10/10). His delicately assembled photomontages express some aspects of their strong, surrealistic quality through the use of contrast through warm and cool colours, though he subtly harmonises this through the gentle de-saturation of the original photographs. Due to the technology used in this image, the visual language is enhanced to give the viewer a sense that this image is reminiscent of a particular emotion that they may have experienced, or a certain event through their childhood when they needed to rewind and start again. The lighting in this photomontage creates a focal point, as the young girls tranquil skin and fragile gown are obviously much brighter than the water and trees she lays amongst. The pure colours radiating from her create an aura of complete serenity. The eerie atmosphere of the lake/river gives the impression that something extravagant is developing, unaware and vulnerable the girl lays completely exposed to the world she can’t control. Without the use of technology through the art making process in this image, the harmonious contrast and surreal atmosphere would have been ill achieved.

The Image Springtime Landfall by Tom Chambers creates a nostalgic ambience through the divine surroundings of the natural and spiritual world. He has created a surreal, dream like atmosphere in which he has amplified the link between the ocean and the land, also representing the inability to escape. This image flaunts countless symbolic references that all together are brilliant in conveying a message; the sum is greater than it’s parts. Chamber’s has focused on this aspect of the photomontage by carefully using Adobe’s Photoshop software to harmonise this image as a complete photograph and artwork. The focal point of the image is of a young adolescent girl, blindfolded, trying to row a boat over a dusty, grassland. She appears quite calm but only aware of her surroundings through her sense of sound. She appears effortless in her actions to escape, presenting the idea that she is in a peaceful state of oblivion, perhaps, enjoying the sounds of the seagulls flying above. This lack of sight could be symbolic in creating a heightened awareness of the natural world that she has complete dependency on. Again, as seen in the other photographs, Chamber’s has created a unified piece through the de-saturation of colour, harmonising both contrasting warm and cool. The placement of the flowerbed in the rowboat she is perched in could be symbolic of her natural growth as a woman. Mother Nature had planted her and is now at the adolescent stage, allowing her to blossom as a mature woman. The lighting and cloudy shadows throughout the sky in the background indicates that something hugely significant is about to approach. The blindfold is symbolic of her vulnerability as a child, not seeing her near future of adulthood from a mile away. She is completely unprepared, but nature doesn’t wait. It seems as if this new ulterior life is approaching sooner than anticipated. The boat mounted on land represents her inability to escape the forced maturity and this is enhanced through the use of photo imaging. It is almost unrecognisable that she doesn’t really belong, creating the eerie, unsure atmosphere of the overall artwork.

Through the use of modern technology, Tom Chambers was able to re-create scenes reminiscent of childhood, a surrealistic, dream like quality. In using particular photo imaging software Chamber’s allowed himself to personally create, and place together multiple images to enhance the content of symbolism. He has achieved this with his delicate editing, whilst harmonising the entire artworks individually through the use of colour as well. Tom Chambers’ artworks flaunt mythical illustrations and trigger the viewer’s vivid imagination or memory and emotion. Through the use of technology Chamber’s was able to focus on the delicate state between adolescence and adulthood and transform an individual artwork to present this concept to a viewer through visual language.

Saccharine Perch

This image is reminiscent of a stormy, late afternoon, the day has been hot and the birds a flocking away. Birds always give you a sign when the weather is taking a turn for the worst, as they will flock in large numbers toward the opposite direction. The image is quite contrasting in the young women dressed quite extravagantly holding a cake with the outback, lonely environment. She is standing quite vulnerably and appears to be walking endlessly down a long dirt road. Her red curls are falling over her shoulders and she doesn't appear aware of the nature consuming her cake. The photograph has a strong surrealist quality, it appears as if it is a dream. This image flaunts feelings of vulnerability and disappointment, I feel as if the girl holding the half eaten cake has given up on trying to please someone... perhaps her parents. The cake could be a symbol of her hard efforts but no matter how hard she tries, the world eats it up before she is acknowledged. She seems young and unaware of the world that surrounds her. The juxtaposition is expressed not only through the subject matter between the young girl and the environment she is in but also through colour. The elegant colour of the formal gown and the rugged, earthy brown coloured atmosphere of the outback environment. This is an example of a subtle contrast between warm and cool colour that are harmonised through the desaturation of the original photograph. This image evokes a childhood memory. The birds seem to be a symbol of nature. The birds are taking away her childhood innocence as she is becoming an adult but she doesn't seem ready yet. They are placing her in an uncomfortable environment, something she isn't ready for.

FOLIO Hunt

Born on a farm and growing up in the country, Chambers touches on his past experiences as a child throughout his photography.

Folio Hunt

Improbable Dreams

On the website Tom Chambers himself explains his intentions in creating his larger body of work "Improbable Dreams". He says "These mythical illustrations might address the fragility of childhood or the delicate transition experienced by a child passing into adolescence and then adulthood. Others express the tension in the uncertain coexistence between man and his environment, a delicate balance too often ignored and damaged." This explanation says exactly what Chambers is all about. He goes on to describe his photographing process...

Improbable Dreams

Prom Gown #3

Mentionings

Tom Chambers is reviewed in this article as being a master of photo-imaging. He is known to take people to an alternate reality with his hybrid images of surreal and real. Most famously known for his image "With the Pack".

Article by Kimberly Brooks

Preliminary Reading

Rite of Passage

The body of work "Rite of Passage" by Tom Chambers is one that explores society, adolescence, maturity and nature. The images are all a little bit different in some aspects, each focusing on a particular feeling or concept which all come together to form a body of work. The images focus on the link between nature and humans. They explore this in a way that creates vulnerability and a natural defensive/fearful human instinct. Why is it that wearing something of such value looks odd and makes a girl look innocent and naive in a natural environment? In today's society people grow up around technology and in doing this the world is dramatically loosing touch with their spiritual mind. People become so self involved with things like personal image, success and status that when put in an unfamiliar environment, one that shouldn't be so unfamiliar, they are faced with the things they sub-consciously run away from. These things being their spirituality and freedom, their imagination and inspiration. As the girl re-occuring in each image is of a young age, it seems that these focuses are exploring in particular the adaption of the adolescent mind in an environment. It is important to have guidance whilst maturing and really exploring yourself.

Night Light

This image "Night Light" by Tom Chambers is quite different to the other two in this body of work as it is a lot brighter. The colours in this image are quite eerie and remind me of Halloween, she looks like a ghost on show. She is still wearing a formal dress which signifies purity and vulnerability, but through this image Chambers has enhanced this feeling by placing her in the spot light. She can no longer hide from her fears and escape her reality because she is lit up for the world to see. The fact that she is standing in a totally isolated area could be hindering that she is self conscious in the real world. The fact that she is on show for virtually no one gives the impression that she shouldn't be hiding, or she has nothing to worry about. People aren't going to look at her but she feels her appearance screams attention! This is a very appropriate look on the teenage mind developing as it can be the most awkward time in your life... your no longer a child, but not yet all grown up. In the background there is a dog running in what appears to be circles by the direction he is flitting. Dogs are known to be mans best friend, with their nurturing, loyal and completely accepting nature, this dog could be symbolic of her guidance. She needs someone or something to help her make decisions without judgment. With a dog as a guide, they would be the most loyal of them all. Sometimes animals can be more trusting than friends.

The Interpretation of Tracey Pennisi (mum)

When I look at this photograph the first thing I notice is a girl who feels like her whole life is on display for everyone to see. She is lit up like a Christmas tree and all the attention is on her, whether she likes it or not. She is put in an outback location for the reason that she would stand out more than in the city lights. I feel like I can see straight through her and know what she is feeling. She needs some type of protection from the whole world.

The Interpretation of Ana Ward

The night light image is very comforting, i find. the light is warm, it's not a bright, white light, and it is not confronting. it's like she's wrapped in this warm comforting feeling. i honestly have nothing else. it's just so pretty.

Foggy River

This image by Tom Chambers, "Foggy River" is another from his body of work "Rite of Passage". I find this image very strong in presenting the lucid dreaming concept. The colour of the sky and water make the whole environment seem as if it is mystical. The absence of reality and civilisation in this image creates an eerie yet peaceful atmosphere, much like the other two images. It is the environment and the aspect of isolation in the image that creates this sense of vulnerability. In contrast to this, the elegance of the girl floating in the river gives the impression that she is in control in some way. Her complete serenity in the foggy river reaches straight into her subconscious state. it seems as if she has given up on trying to hold onto something, and floating without a worry is such a relief, forgetting completely of her surroundings. The purity in the colour of her formal dress and pale skin flaunts the idea that she is giving herself and her worries to nature.

The Interpretation of Tracey Pennisi (mum)

The girl in this photograph gives me a feeling of everything in her world being overwhelming and too much for her to cope with, but she has found a beautiful, calm place to relax in and wash her cares away. I think he chose this setting because of the calm colour and misty outlook and because she can float in the water without exerting herself. I think she will go to this place whenever everything becomes too hard and she will then be able to cope in her real world.

The Interpretation of Ana Ward

This looks so empty and lost, like she's about to float away into the mist. To me, it means loneliness and desperation; but also like she's lost the will to find her way to the shore, even though it's right there. castaways, almost. i think it's looking at the frailty of the human spirit, and that feeling when all hope is lost due to confusion.

Spring Landfall

This image by Tom Chambers is called "Spring Landfall". The juxtaposition in this image, being the formal fashion in a natural earth setting, creates a sense of surrealism and lucid dreaming. Chambers was intrigued throughout this body of work "Rite of Passage", by the way you can place a woman formally dressed in a busy city street and they will look superior and of a higher class, yet when placed in natures land, she flaunts vulnerability and fear. This images almost gives the feeling of fear in a subtle way, the fear of loosing reality or maybe being trapped. The girl in the boat is blindfolded which enhances the idea of vulnerability and the way she is paddling the boat on land is creating this feeling of desperation and imprisonment. She cannot paddle away but she is trying anyway. As this image creates a melancholy feeling the entire piece is quite calming and peaceful. Almost as if herself and her sub-consious peace and connection with nature is what she is paddling away from. The colours in this image are all very soft and earthy, surrounded by organic line and natural light. This creates a close connection between the viewer and the model in the photo, the mood created is one like despair and longing. When I look at this picture long enough i begin to feel obligated to feel sympathy for this girl, blinded by herself. This image reminds me of children when they use their imagination to create games. They are seeing the same as what you are seeing but in the mind they are seeing a whole other world. The movie Toystory presents this idea.

The Interpretation of Tracey Pennisi (Mum)

When I first look at this photo I see a very vulnerable young girl trying to get out of a situation that is very unfamiliar to her and feeling like she isn’t going to make it. I feel like the blindfold has a lot to do with her not being able to clearly see her future and is not sure what it might hold for her. She is trying to row away from whatever she cant see but doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere fast. I feel like the girl in the formal dress doesn’t really belong in the woodlands but maybe this is a symbol of how uncomfortable she feels in her normal surroundings and just wants to get out. Maybe a cry for help to try to understand why she is put into these awkward situations that she cant seem to handle very well. The pastel colourings and the boat being full of flowers, protecting her, mean to me that she is very innocent and naive and feels like she has been unfairly judged now and for her previous teenage actions. The birds above her, that she can hear but not see, to me, represent authority figures, maybe parents or teachers, trying to persuade her decisions. The grasslands that she is stuck in to me represent a rough and ready world that she is not ready for yet, or thinks going into it is going to be the biggest challenge of all. Overall, because the girl in the boat is the main part of the photo, I think she will eventually overcome her fears over time.

The Interpretation of Ana Ward

The boat images poses an interesting juxtaposition: so out of place, rowing blindly through a field. i get this feeling of alienation and confusion (who wouldnt be, i guess?) the storm, as bonnie mentioned, i think really captures this juxtaposition. it looks like the kind of sky you see over the water - and the seagulls add to this. i think it's about blindly searching for something when youre looking in the wrong place to start with.

Tom Chambers

Rite of Passage

"With time, adolescents begin to abandon the natural, untamed state of childhood for the artificial pretenses of adulthood. After my own daughter's arrival at the complexities of her sixteenth milestone, this juxtaposition captured my attention.

In composing a variety of stark, woodland settings in contrast with a billowy dress or other man-made articles, I explore the dichotomy between what is natural and what is fabricated. Why do people costumed in formal dress seem so omnipotent on the street, yet so vulnerable in the wild? Each of these photomontages explores a place where unexpected circumstances collide." Tom Chambers

Spring Landfall

Foggy River

Night Light