Two strangers sit on a bench overlooking striped canyons under a deep blue sky. The woman faces the man, staring at him, while he faces the scenery.
They do not know that they inspired a woman to use her camera for the first time in two years.
NW career adviser Liz Bradley took a series of photos on a whim of these two strangers at Badlands National Park in South Dakota while on vacation in June with her husband. The five photos show the strangers from a distance and progressively get closer to them.
For her first ever photo exhibit “View of Perspectives,” displayed on the third floor of NW01, Bradley said she hopes her series inspires students to not let life speed by and to practice thoughtful observance.
“Consider how your perspectives can change what you see and how you understand the world and your surroundings,” Bradley said at the opening reception for her exhibit Sept. 22. The exhibit will remain displayed until Oct. 3.
Each photo, while focused on the two figures on the bench, is different.
“I look and I see the clouds formations change, the landscape changed and my perspective of these people had changed,” she said as she walked the reception audience through her series.
Bradley’s photography in the past has been mostly landscapes, which she said is also a key part of the series. Her connection to nature, she said, is reflected in her art.
She dedicated the exhibit to her parents, who both recently died.
“I had a two-year block where the camera never came out,” Bradley said. “My mom was dying of terminal cancer, and so I just didn’t have it in me.”
Growing up in southeastern New Mexico in a family of artists, Bradley said art has always been dear to her. Her grandparents painted. Her father taught her the basics of photography.
“Many of you guys know that my work with my students — I’m very dedicated to that, but my long journey of photography has been an important creative outlet and passion of mine,” she said. “I encourage each one of you to really develop that passion for whatever art is in your heart, because that’s what’s important.”
One student who attended the reception resonated with Bradley’s encouragement to slow down.
“I feel like now we have gone into a society that’s very fast moving and we’re always just like on a grind,” NW student Daisy Delgado said. “It’s very important to just take a moment and enjoy what we have around us, enjoy every moment, cherish every moment because we never know when it might be our last.”
Several faculty members, alongside students, attended the exhibit in support of Bradley.
“We send out invites to all our humanities faculty to encourage everyone to come, and we really like showing up for each other,” NW arts and humanities administrative support specialist Madison Whitney said.
A few days after the reception, Bradley reflected on the support she received.
“I was blown away by how many people did show up for the opening. I’ve had people that have come up to me personally and said, ‘Hey, can you walk me through, you know, your exhibit?’ So, I’ve done individualized walkthroughs as well,” she said. “It’s been really nice because I’ve connected with people, but I think people have also connected with the art.”
