Rockford artist Valerie Olafson has reached another milestone in her life. In April she turned sixty years old. And as she starts a new decade in her life, Olafson has created an exhibition of her newest photographs in the Kortman Gallery, opening Friday & Saturday, October 9th and 10th
The exhibition, titled “Old Bag” is the third in a series of photography shows she has exhibited in the Kortman Gallery…the first in 2000 when she turned forty, and the second in 2010 when she turned 50.
“These new works in this exhibit represent layers of thought,” said Olafson. “My photographs are not only about the women I’ve chosen as models who inspire me, but the great photographers that have influenced me throughout my career as an artist.”
Olafson’s images all feature Rockford women as models, each holding an old bag, or purse.
“My models posed with old bags, and now that I’ve turned sixty, I am an ‘old bag’!” Olafson quipped, making reference to her exhibition title.
“Each photograph represents different aspects of my personality and different stages of my life…and I changed course often, said Olafson. “When you look at the images I hope you catch a glimpse of Beaton, Penn, Weegee, ManRay, Avedon, Liebovitz, Mapplethorpe, Arbus, or Mann. These are the great photographers that have inspired my career and each of the photographs in this show.”
According to gallery director Doc Slafkosky, the photographs featured in Olafson’s exhibit are framed by artist Jeremy Klonicki of Mainfraim and will also be available on line.
“Old Bag” exhibition of new photographs by Valerie Olafson in the Kortman Gallery premiers on October 9th and 10th from 3 to 9pm on Friday and 11am to 5pm on Saturday. Masks will be required for entry and restricted to limited number of patrons at a time in the store and gallery. Outside tables will be available weather permitting.
The gallery is located upstairs at J. R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 North Main Street in Downtown Rockford. The exhibit will run through November 14th. For more information call 815-968-0123