Is it possible for a portrait to be abstract? What defines a portrait: the clarity of every detail captured in a photograph or can abstraction obscure recognizable features? What about the surreal, the real, and the interplay with three-dimensional space? This exhibition seeks to explore the multifaceted nature of portraiture through lenses of abstraction, surrealism, realism, and spatial depth.

Spanning the evolution of photography, from abstract portraiture to surrealism and realism, this exhibition will juxtapose diverse works, engaging in a dialogue with work by Franck Godefroy and Joliet Morrill. While traditional photographs will adorn the walls, our focus extends beyond the confines of two-dimensional prints. We seek photographs that transcend boundaries, incorporating mixed media. Feel free to interpret this how you please. Mixed media prints are not required.

This call invites submissions from across the spectrum. We welcome striking portraits brimming with emotion, enigmatic photographs that challenge viewers to discern their subjects, and portraits that push the boundaries of human form, embracing surreal elements.

Join us in redefining the essence of portraiture and exploring the endless possibilities of visual storytelling.

About the Curators:

Joliet Morrill

Joliet Morrill is a New Orleans-based photographer with a focus on portraiture and street photography. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she holds degrees in Art History and Sociology where she focused on the intersection of art and education, with a particular interest in modern and contemporary art. Her photography often features staged shoots with models and friends, where she collaborates on styling and conceptualizing each session. Whether working with professional stylists or curating outfits from her friends' wardrobes, Joliet enjoys creating narrative-driven, highly stylized portraits that blur the lines between reality and imagination.

Joliet is the founder and admin of f/504, a creative photography collective in New Orleans dedicated to fostering free, accessible networking and collaborative events. The collective focuses on photography, digital media, modeling, and fashion, providing a safe and inclusive platform for artists of all ages and skill levels.

Joliet also runs Lapin's Workshop, a community studio space in the Bywater that offers sliding-scale workshops, including drawing classes and open studio days.

Her work is available at jolietmorrill.com, with portraits showcased on Instagram at @photo.joliet and portraits at @joliet.candid.

Franck Henry Godefroy

Franck Henry Godefroy is a Haitian born photographer. He describes his work as a balance between a setting, its compo sition and Its emptiness. He welcomes and appreciates ambiguity through the minimalism of his work. Photography was a hobby for the beginning years but he has progressively felt the want to explore and expand in a more purposeful way. He's honed his lens in his journey to master his craft and show others the same beauty he sees in the world around him.

Photography has given me the opportunity to explore connections. These connections are an experience, both the simple and the deep. The camera stands in-between. My work exists to create a safe space for myself, who I create projects with and for the world, to feel and to mindfully experience. I simply do it because I love it. Photography has taught me flow, which is how a soul navigates the present. I see it through my lens and ink it on a photo paper. It’s an honor for me to create.

Instagram: frankxter_

Website: franckhgodefroy.com

Application Requirements

Submission Fee (for Members) : $20
Submission Fee (for Non-Members) : $30 
Submission Fee + Basic NOPA Membership: $55
Submission Fee + Silver NOPA Membership (Includes online portfolio listing): $80

https://neworleansphotoalliance.org/membership/
 
Maximum pieces per entry is 5. Files must be in jpg format. Maximum file size 5 mb. Resize images to be 1800px on the SHORT dimension so that photographs are large enough to be viewed properly by the juror and used in promotion if selected. 

Abstract/Sur-real will open on November 16, 2024 and remain on view through January 14, 2025.

Application Deadline: September 20, 2024

Artists Notified of Acceptance: September 27, 2024

All work must be delivered to the New Orleans Photo Alliance framed and ready to hang no later than November 11, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

Submissions are open to all photographers; NOPA membership not required; all ages accepted. 

Works submitted must be legal and the artist assumes responsibility for having the legal right to exhibit and sell the images. Fine arts nudes and implied nude works are acceptable. This exhibition will include work that has been digitally manipulated (PhotoShop).