Artists Statement
For this collection of work, it is a brief preview of the larger body of work On Grieving, which explores our relationship with memories, grief, and how photography is tied into all of things, for what is a photograph if not a memory. Within the context of my work, I explore the relationship between process and my queer identity. Within the lens of my work, I often explore processes that result in a one-of-a-kind result. This coincides with the nature of queerness being a one-of-a-kind unique experience in life. This relationship sets the precipice of the nature of this body of work.
I chose processes that could only be replicated once and never have the same repeated result. Polaroid Soup utilizing Polaroid 669 Film that expired in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Polaroid Soup actively distorts and sometimes complete deteriorates the images that are soaked in the broth. This process is aggressive, disruptive, and transformative for the nature of photography.
Polaroid Emulsion Lifts on Pressed Leaves is a process I enjoyed exploring with my husband, who was a protector of the Sierra National Forests up until he experiences job loss due to DOGE and the current administration. During his time in the forests, we would collect leaves for pressing and a deep appreciation of nature, love, and art. This print serves as a reminder of the Creek Fire in 2020 but also how fragile job security is.
And lastly, Chromoskedasic Sabatier a process that is done in the darkroom that destabilizes the chromatic values in silver gelatin paper, resulting in color in a black and white original print. Adam’s Never-Ending Moment was originally created in 2016 but never found its final form until I was introduced to Chromoskedasic Sabatier. This image is the representation of unrequited love, and how dangerous nostalgia can be.
Each of these processes are unique to my creative process and serves as a reminder of how important authenticity and process is in the realm of photographic art. Within the landscape of digital photography, we now are seeing in real time that all the images possess the same energy as the next, sterile, perfected and beautiful. For my personal approach I love work that is imperfect, nuanced, and unique. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of producing images through laborious practices, and not wholly reliant on the gear I have, but rather a product of my hand.
Artists Bio
Born and raised in Exeter, California Gailan Sabin Gray was always looking for a deeper meaning to the world around him. Being raised around his Grandfather Sabin Gray, an artist and arts educator in Tulare County, Gailan was introduced to art around the age of three. At this time Sabin would task his curious grandson with painting pre drawn images, drawing specific requests, and allowing Gailan to go with him to teach various workshops around Visalia, California. As Gailan got older he began to grow into his own style artistically and would continue to explore his art well after his grandfather’s passing in 2005. Around this same time Gailan was introduced to the magical world of photography by his middle school journalism class. As Gailan went through high school he continued to explore photography through a majorinfluential teacher he had, Jim Stanaway. Stanaway allowed Gailan to explore photography more and even taught him about cinematography.
It was Gailan’s natural curiosity and intrigue around photography’s ability to document reality that kept his focus on the medium throughout his teenage years. Once Gailan graduated from Exeter Union High School he went off to study at Fresno State University, where he continued to explore photography. While at Fresno State University Gailan was turning his lens more inward as he began to uncover his identity as a queer man in a conservative area. Studying under Julia Bradshaw and Joan Sharma allowed Gailan to explore his identity through the photographicmedium. Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley as a queer person was a challenging time for Gailan. His studies at Fresno State University allowed him to explore this concept openly without fear of prejudice and homophobic backlash he had experienced in his hometown of Exeter.
Once Gailan graduated from Fresno State University, in the Fall of 2014. He was accepted into the Masters of Fine Arts program at San Jose State University, where he was able to study photography further. Studying under Brian Taylor, Valerie Mendoza, and Robin Lasser allowed Gailan to explore his research around queer art and queer experiences further. While at San Jose State University, Gailan exhibited in the De Young Museum, Root Division Gallery, and numerous other galleries around the San Francisco Bay Area. Gailan also won the College of Arts and Humanities Dean Scholarship and was invited to speak at the Alumni Associations fundraising dinner in the Spring of 2017. In the Spring of 2018 Gailan graduated from San Jose State University where a short three weeks later he was hired at Gavilan College to teach their photography courses and run their small photography program.
Since 2018 Gailan has taught numerous courses in art and photography. He has taught at San Jose State University, Gavilan College, California State University, Summer Arts Program, and currently teaches at Fresno State University where he proudly teaches as a queer artist and continues to exhibit his artwork. He has taught courses in photography, history of photography, design, gallery techniques and professional practices in art. He has had solo and group exhibition nationally and internationally. Currently Gailan is making art around the queer experience and continuing his research around queer art and queer history.