Steve Pool: May Flowers - An Exhibition of Photographs

STEVE POOL May Flowers An Exhibition of Photographs May 14 to June 30, 2022

After the inaugural exhibition of Studio Stanos at our Cape Cod location in summer 2021, we are thrilled to present our second exhibition of photographer Steve Pool (b. 1942), this time in his hometown of New York City. We have titled the exhibition May Flowers, a reference to the saying “April showers bring May flowers” and a nod to the rebirth and renewal that spring brings. Steve’s super-sized petals are blooming on our walls and are a pleasure to behold.

Set against deep black backgrounds, the images are reminiscent of Dutch floral stilllife paintings, and at the same time like modern portraits. Of his process, Steve has said: Photographing flowers and plants is a lot like photographing children.

It is reflex and momentary.

Each work indeed has a distinct personality. There are a few surprises in the show, such as the bright Diminuendo, Layers and In the Closet, showcasing the breadth of Steve’s artistic output.

The exhibition will be on view at our home/gallery on the Upper West Side, which we are calling our “salon.” We will celebrate with two opening receptions with Steve on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 5–7 PM and on Wednesday, May 18 from 6-8 PM. The show will be on view through June 30 and we welcome you to reach out to set up a time to visit. In the meantime, please enjoy this preview of the exhibition.

With all best wishes, Valerie Grassetti Stanos

Awakening 2018 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 24 x 32 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Martha Moves 2014 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 24 x 32 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Broken Dreams 2021 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 24 x 32 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated.

Three Sisters 2022 Archival digital pigment print. 20 x 30 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Embrace 2020 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 20 x 30 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Vigilance 2013 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 26 1/2 x 40 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Omnipresent 2021 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 26 1/2 x 40 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Perfect Love 2014 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Diminuendo 2021 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 21 1/2 x 32 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Symphony 2021 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 13 1/2 x 24 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

Layers 2022 Archival digital pigment print, 20 x 30 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

In the Closet 2018 (printed 2022) Archival digital pigment print, 18 x 24 inches (image size). Signed, titled and dated

About the artist: Born in Brooklyn, gifted photographer Steve Pool lives and works on the Upper West Side in New York City. He has a broad range of photography interests—culture, still lifes, portraits, travel and food. He has provided photography for a number of cookbooks and often works with his wife, cookbook author Judith Choate, on their own projects, as well as photographing and styling the food of chefs and culinary personalities. Steve describes his own artistic trajectory as follows: I got my first camera at about 8 years old. From that moment on, there have been several periods alternating between making pictures and taking none at all. I spent part of my service years in Japan where I bought a Nikon and began to photograph with a measure of serious intent. Once I returned to the States, the inspiration of the Harlem Renaissance moved me forward until “real” life intruded. But, in the summer of 2002 my wife, against all protest, bought me a camera for our trip to Sicily. The photographs of food that I took there were used for a book. I have not put the camera down since.

I have no formal photography training, but have been fortunate for the guidance and rigor of the graphic and book designer, Joel Avirom, and of Michael Tolani, who has printed all of my work, including the photographs for this show. Both Joel and Michael are ‘with me’ each time I press the shutter release.

S T U D I O S TA N O S NYC Salon By appointment 202 368 6242 valerie@s tudios tanos.com