Carolyn Chester and her husband Geoffrey are two of the nicest people I have met since I moved to Ithaca over ten years ago. I started photographing her incredible ceramic sculptures a few years ago and was beginning to wonder how she was doing because I haven’t heard from her. So the phone rings and it is Carolyn letting me know that she has a new batch of work, and asking if I can squeeze it in. I guess that is what they call telepathy.
I have photographed a lot of art by some of the world’s greatest artists (spent two years shooting the handbook of the permanent collection for the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and that had everything you could ever imagine) but I have to say that Carolyn’s work is quite challenging. Her great personality and that challenge are the reasons I love doing it with her. I’m sure you will understand what I am saying when you look at the images.
It still amazes me that such a delicate woman (I say that fondly, and mean no disrespect) produces these formidable, modern day miniature Stonehenge pieces. I say Stonehenge because they are practically indestructible, seem impossible to work with, and will be around for a long time. Plus, the materials she manipulates, her understanding of light, composition, and texture are pure genius. I have always agreed that simple can be way more powerful than complicated. Simple is not an easy thing to accomplish though and Carolyn has taken simplicity to another dimension.
It is always a privilege and an honor to work with you Carolyn and Geoffrey. I hope that we may continue to do so for many years to come.
