Sandy Woodson is a photographer. Often working in photo documentary series, Woodson records moments in the now to be enjoyed and remembered later on. To understand Woodson's practice more, we asked her a series of questions before the exhibition. The following are her replies:
What comes first – the medium or the message?
Right now I am only working in photography so I would have to say my medium comes first. I mostly work with the male human figure but take breaks from time to time when a subject appears that I have to shoot and that would be this project "Palio de Siena" which documents the activities from the pageant to the horse race itself in Siena, Italy.
What do you feel is your role as an artist?
I like to shoot things most people don't get to see or from a perspective they are not likely to see. So I guess I feel some of my role is to educate. But I also like to shoot things that I hope will make someone pause and really enjoy the image.
What influences your practice/works?
Other artists and their ideas inspire me all the time. All types of art makes me start thinking about what I might like to incorporate into my work.
Who are the other artists you look to for inspiration? And what about their works do you like?
I really like Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, and Robert Mapplethorpe. I like figurative works, love simple, stark, arresting images. I could look at photography books all day. For my nature photography I actually love looking at National Geographic images. I also love looking at old photographs of city scenes and people. I love fashion photography and celebrity photographs too.
What other writings do you recommend reading to have a better understanding of your artworks and your art practice/process?
Vanity Fair, 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age
A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005
Richard Avedon Photographs, 1946-2004
Exhibition is supported in part by Fringe Festival KC. KC Fringe started with a mission to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences and keep it affordable. And 12 years later we're still doing it! Check them out at kcfringe.org. For more information on the artist, email her at sandy.woodson@yahoo.com.
