Gregory Crewdson

In a Lonely Place

Institute of Modern Art, Fortitude Valley

Gregory Crewdson is an American photographer known for his large-scale works depicting a surreal and staged Middle America.

“In all my pictures what I am ultimately interested in is that moment of transcendence, where one is transported to another place, into a perfect still world”  Gregory Crewdson, Artist statement.

Crewdson is described by some as being preoccupied with human alienation and his work has been compared to that of famous American painter Edward Hopper and filmmaker David Lynch.

In a Lonely place is being shown at the Judith Wright centre, Institute of modern art, in Fortitude valley. The exhibit consists of three main bodies of work; Fireflies, Beneath the Roses and Sanctuary. The layout of the gallery is clean and modern with at least 12’ high ceilings, which are left bare with light fixtures, pipes and vents, exposed. The stark white walls envelope the works in sections, which flow easily into each other. A sealed concrete floor shares a comfortable contrast with the large and ominous photographs above it.

Fireflies (1996) is a series of 13 similar sized framed photographs of twilight landscapes spotted with the incandescence of fireflies. The photographs share one wall on which they are hung in a group unaligned. This gave the effect of insects piloting through the night flittering here and there. The dark black silhouettes of the buildings and trees pitted against a greying evening sky are speckled with the shimmering white fireflies in wonderful contrast.

Beneath the roses (2003-8) is a grand array of dramatically large photographs spanning two huge rooms. This series depicts incredibly detailed scenes of a dark and lonely nature. Crewdsons interest in human alienation can be seen right away. An old warehouse on fire is watched by half nude youths who seem sad in their expressions but apathetic in their movement. Blankets of fog roll up wide and almost deserted streets. The inhabitants seem timid as if not wanting to be seen. There are very distinct themes shared picture to picture. Unwanted pregnancies, poor life choices, missing persons and alcoholism. Hotel rooms being used for one-night stands are bland and lifeless except for their guests who stand bemused at their own displeasures. The viewer begins to feel very sure they are an uninvited stranger. Hints that something is awry cross the mind, perhaps a looming apocalypse or a post apocalyptic fallout adorned with the remnants of a diminishing human existence.

Sanctuary (2009), another series of photographs larger than fireflies but still far smaller than beneath the roses. These pictures encompass a single room very much aligned and related almost like snapshots on a roll of film. They depict disused and disintegrating outdoor film studios in Rome Italy. They are in black & white but more softly grey than fireflies. Ruins of a far-gone era emanate loneliness from within. Concrete crumbles and wood rots and not a person is seen who could if alive care. There is hope yet in these dark pictures it seems the world has forgotten its human plague and will reclaim itself in the end.

Crewdsons was a great exhibition to encounter. In a lonely place captivates and stimulates.

Christian Cusack