Amherst’s Public Art Commission is pleased to present an exhibition of landscape photography by Amherst resident, educator and photographer, Michael Zide. The selection of black and white photographs were taken in Western Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard and California and printed on Moab fine art Entrada paper.
In the world of black and white landscape photography, Michael Zide has a most selective eye. He possesses that rare quality of artful seeing, bringing his sensitivity to gesture and mood to every image. Sensual and tactile, his work elicits a visceral response that draws the viewer in to demand a second look and a more thoughtful response. His personal vision began as a child after the otherworldly experience of waking to find a luminous blanket of snow covering his Southern California home. That first snowfall set in motion both the search for a view of equal enchantment, as well as a visual memory in search of meaning.
Not surprisingly, many of his photographs are inspired by the striking drama of winter ice and snow transforming the New England landscape.
Zide's work will be on view through February 28, 2013 at the Amherst Town Hall in Amherst, Massachusetts.