Bobby Abrahamson
The beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic coincided with a personal decision I made in January 2020 to cut back on my teaching load in order to focus more of my time and energy on caring for my aunt Estelle in New York City; and also to work on new creative outlets of drawing, watercolor and guitar. This hodge-podge collection of photos and paintings are all works created during this time. None of this work was produced with the intention to exhibit, but instead to feed my own creative spirit, and to produce something tangible to reflect on my experiences during these challenging times.
Estelle drinking water, July 2020, digital photograph - archival pigment print, 11" x 8.5", 2020
Estelle sleeping, the last time I saw her before she fell, July 2020, July 2020, digital photograph - archival pigment print, 8.5" x 11", 2020
Contact sheet of Rolleiflex shots of Estelle, July 2020, black & white film photograph - silver gelatin print, 11" x 8.5", 2020
Estelle leaning and smiling on her couch, July 2020, black & white film photograph - silver gelatin print, 14" x 11", 2020
Estelle waking, July 2020, black & white film photograph - silver gelatin print, 11" x 14", 2020
Estelle, with aid Achioutou, the day after returning from the hospital, August 2020, black & white film photograph - sliver gelatin print, 11" x 14", 2020
Estelle watching TV from her wheelchair, December 2020, digital photograph - archival pigment print, 14" x 11", 2020
Documentary shot of work-in-progess on a drawing/painting of Estelle, May 2020, digital photograph - archival pigment print, 11" x 8.5", 2020
Estelle, with white bead necklace and flower shirt, pencil and watercolor on paper (in sketchbook, with journal writing on back of page in black ink), 14" x 11", 2020
Self-portrait (with blue shirt and yellow curtains), pencil and watercolor on paper (in sketchbook, with journal writing on back of page in black ink), 14" x 11", 2020
Bobby Abrahamson is a Portland-based photographer, photojournalist and photo educator. He has six published books, has been featured in 17 solo shows and a multitude of group exhibits in the US and Europe. His work is in the permanent collections of numerous institutions including the Portland Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Museum of Contemporary Art Belgrade, the Harry Ransom Center, the Oregon Jewish Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. His clients have included TIME, Fortune, US News & World Report, The New York Times, VICE and Wieden & Kennedy.
Lane Departure: a virtual, faculty biennial by Clark College art professors
