Polly Chandler

“Chloe”

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Chloe” was the last photograph I made in my hometown of Carbondale, in Southern Illinois, just after I finished up my masters degree there at SIU.  I think that’s symbolic because Chloe is young with unlimited possibilities ahead of her, in a somewhat intimidating environment, although she appears completely at peace.  I think narrative in an image is important, but I also think deciding what that narrative is, is an individual process and so I ultimately want to leave the meaning up to the onlooker.

ARTIST BIO

Polly Chandler grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated with an MFA in photography in August of 2004 from Southern Illinois University.  She has exhibited her work both nationally and at F8 Fine Art Gallery in Austin, and  her photographs have been published in magazines such as Photo District News, American Photo and Shots.  Polly now lives in Austin, Texas and continues to make photographs as well as strives to challenge herself in her work.  About her body of work, she says “There are those occurrences that sit with us and settle into who we are.  Some are more forceful than others.  I am seeking to explore those identifiable instances that seem to slow time, and through my photographs, share the understanding of these moments.”

Selected by Arthur Ollman, Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University.