......Hunter Barnes is a documentary photographer who focuses his artistic gaze on the faces of proud groups of people who are consistently misrepresented in the modern American narrative. Under the tutelage of Dr. R. Heist, he earned a Degree in Photography and Photochemistry. Distinguishing himself from his photographer peers through the integrity of his process from concept to print, he shoots exclusively in Black and White Film and Polaroid 665 Negatives and prints his own images adhering to the archival darkroom methods of the generations of masters who preceded him. In his home and creative retreat, nestled in a valley in the natural reserves of Oregon, he produces silver gelatin, fiber-based limited edition masterpieces each year. His photographs flash us into moments and scenes most people will never get to experience first-hand during their lifetime. Hunter cherishes the friendships he builds with people who recognize his sincerity and allow him access to their private worlds. After establishing their trust over meaningful dialogue and shared experiences, he frames his subjects as they are and where they dwell.
Hunter has published his images in two books Redneck Round Up and Outside of Life and is currently working on a third book. Redneck Round Up (2002) chronicles the community of old-time ranchers and their families in Wallowa County, OR. In their lives and stories, he saw a dying breed of rugged American frontier people, slowly vanishing as the influences of the modern world encroaches on their natural haven and successive generations choose to pursue opportunities off the land.
His second book, Outside of Life (2004) focuses primarily on American people who have chosen to live on their own terms rejecting traditional American lifestyles. The images depict low riders in New Mexico, NY motorcycle club members, Bloods in St. Louis and inmates of a California maximum-security prison. The common theme that draws these diverse groups of people, as Hunter saw it, is that these are guys living life, bound to a code of brotherhood and loyalty not easily understood by most people. Given the opportunity to live and share experiences with these individuals, Hunter recognized the importance of shedding light on this unseen part of American history.
Since the publication of his first book, Hunter has mounted five solo shows in NYC and Santa Fe, N.M.. Milk Gallery currently exhibits his latest work exclusively. With A World Away in 2006, he exhibited a collection of images captured while living in the Tamil villages in Sri Lanka that were affected by the Tsunami and the on going civil war and introduced his written journal entries into the gallery of his images. The People, a four-year documentary project on the Ni Mii Puu (Nez Perce) Native American people of Lapwai, ID and Nespelam, WA, was exhibited in 2008. This marked the first time in a century that the tribal elders allowed an outsider to live among them and produce a comprehensive photographic chronicle of the people on the reservation.
GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION:
Patron Noot Seear, life-long friend and benefactor, has generously financed the realization of his work and vision in print. Rose Charities, organized and directed by the Seear Family of Canadian Medical Doctors, have worked to meet the social, medical, and technological needs of indigenous peoples globally from Sri Lanka to Lapwai, Idaho. In support of his current retrospective endeavor, THE REAL JAMES DEAN ROCK n’ ROLL QUEEN, Nicole Trunfio, enabled the processing and printing of 250 unseen rolls of moments along Hunter’s 15 year journey on the road. The unwavering support of Gibby Haynes, the lead singer of the Butthole Surfers; Yasha Sturgill, the original hippy wonder girl; and David Lundquist, the lifelong graphic artist of The Grateful Dead provided the original sphere of influence on and support of his vision and enterprising spirit. In the critical arena of graphic design and layout for Hunter’s books and exhibitions respectively, the commitment of Jesse Mathews have been instrumental in the success of the his body of work.
The Monroe Gallery of Sante Fe, New Mexico and Milk Gallery, NYC have hosted his openings and sell his prints. Through the visionary support of Mazdack Rassi, the founder and owner of Milk Studios NYC/ LA, the Milk Gallery serves as the managing agency and primary gallery of Mr. Barnes’ photographs. Sixty-Eight Degrees Lab in NYC sponsors the processing of his negatives and Steve Rifkin of Hanks Photographic masterfully produces his mural size gallery prints.