Online Group Exhibition - “Portraits: Beyond the Exterior” - Fall 2024
Analog Forever Magazine is proud to present "Portraits: Beyond the Exterior," an online group exhibition featuring 80 photographs created with film and analog processes, curated by Polly Gaillard, Program Director at Photolucida!
Polly Gaillard writes:
When I look at a portrait, I don’t just focus on the person in front of the lens; I also envision the photographer behind the camera. The magic of the image comes from the dynamic between both — it’s that connection that brings it to life. A photographer who doesn’t like people may have difficulty capturing a compelling portrait, and a subject who doesn’t connect with the photographer may struggle to be themselves in front of the camera. Vulnerability makes a portrait powerful, allowing the viewer to connect with another life beyond their own — one that stirs empathy, humor, understanding, compassion, and curiosity.
The portraits that captivate me most are the ones I can’t immediately put my finger on — the ones that make me ask, what’s that expression? What is that feeling? I find myself revisiting these images because my interpretation of them shifts over time. I may see them one way on Monday and differently on Thursday. These are the portraits that continue to draw me in, providing a space for me to pause and reflect and then revisit, like an old friend.
Some might reduce a portrait to emotions like happiness or sadness, but doing so overlooks the complexity of feelings in between those extremes. If someone isn’t smiling, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are sad. They may be contemplative, conflicted, or experiencing something that goes beyond what we can immediately label but still compels us to think. To me, the most compelling portraits don’t demand that I understand the subject’s identity. They rely on subtle cues — the nuances that express universal human traits. These qualities reveal the depth of our shared human experience in expressions that connect us without a need for words.
GALLERY
ABOUT THE CURATOR
Polly Gaillard is a seasoned professional with a rich background in the arts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Polly's academic career includes over a decade of teaching photography and art courses at several universities, including Furman University, Anderson University, Greenville Technical College, the University of Georgia, the University of New Orleans, and Delta State University. Her teaching portfolio is distinguished by her involvement in study-abroad programs in Prague and Italy, enhancing the international exposure of her students.
As a fine art photographer, Polly has actively participated in national portfolio reviews, authored an artist book, and exhibited her work extensively in both solo and group shows across the United States. Her deep engagement with the art community extends to her roles as a juror for various exhibitions and a writer who prolifically covers photography and its practitioners, exploring the creative process and the vulnerability involved in exposing artwork in a competitive field.
In 2023, Polly embraced the role of Program Director at Photolucida, where she manages the prestigious Critical Mass international photography competition. Polly resides in Greenville, SC, with her beloved pup, Sadie Jane.