Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit - Aug thru Oct
Past Events
The current Whale Watch Room Gallery Exhibit features photography by Rod Whaley and jewelry by Ling-Yen Jones. The exhibit will display from August 5 through October 31. Rod’s exhibit includes photographs printed on silver gelatin, cotton paper and stretched canvas selected from two of his previous exhibits in other galleries, “Water over Rock” from 2019 and “Entropic Dispersion and The Latitude of Plants” from 2005. Unframed color prints of Point Arena Lighthouse and surrounding landscapes will be also be available during the exhibit. The exhibit focuses on both California and Oregon natural environments Rod shot from 1998 to 2022.
“Water over Rock” is of abstract, minimalist and straightforward photography. Three 30” x 40” stretched/framed canvas will be arranged as window shades to bring natural light luminescence and vibrancy to each piece.
“River Rock Series” photographed in black and white at South Yuba River State Park, Nevada County will be shown along with 5”x7” note cards.
“Low Tide” are living sculptures photographed from tidal pools along Oregon and California coastlines, created for the first time an elongated 12ft. x 13in. color print on canvas tailored for The Whale Watch Room Gallery.
“The Unfolding” (from “The Latitude of Plants) is a segment that delivers Rod’s fascination with natures wonderment. The opening of a rose, spiral twist of Calla Lilly, and “The Unfolding” of Agave, the show print origin.
Artist Statement
My “day job” never gained traction to a guided or planned career in photography, rather an unknown journey giving time and space to seek my own study. As I peered through the lens with intent to capture my “wabi-sabi” I found connection in nature and industrial design where line, shadow and shape bring forth sculpture. I am inspired from works of Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Weston and Minor White.
Artist Biography
Rod Whaley hails from Tillamook County Oregon. Born in 1953 in Detroit, Michigan he earned a BA Degree in Humanities/Communications from Florida Atlantic University in 1974. His artistic side was put to good use when he was a Technical Illustrator/Photographer for Boeing Airplane Company from 1980 to 1984 and a Network Design/Publications Author for Boeing Computer Services from 1986 to 1990. He then spent 1990 to 2015 in Telecommunications Engineering/Operations, Pacific Telecom Cable, Alaska Communications, Southern Cross Network. Rod spent almost 2 years during COVID working on a project in Manchester CA and during that time he stayed in Assistant Keeper’s House 3 at the Lighthouse, joined occasionally by his wife Julie, and enjoyed taking pictures of the Mendocino coast to add to his portfolio.
