Light Work to exhibit ‘Pastoral’ by Alexander Gronsky

Gallery reception is Tuesday, March 27, 5-7 p.m.

Light Work has announced the exhibition “Pastoral,” featuring landscape photographs by Alexander Gronsky. The photographs were taken along the outlying areas of Moscow, where the human need to find solace away from the city collides with urban sprawl, and the fragility of nature.

The exhibition will be on view through May 31. A gallery reception will take place Tuesday, March 27, from 5-7 p.m.

Gronsky is a self-described landscape photographer with an uncanny ability to capture scenes in nature as elegant allegories that include rolling hills, spectacular lighting and far-reaching horizons. His skilled use of perspective and composition, reminiscent of centuries-old traditions in European landscape painting, draw the viewer’s eye deep into the landscape and generate a sense of awe for each place.

Gronsky’s images follow city dwellers as they seek out urban hinterlands for precious moments of leisure. The people in his images seek sun. They yearn for tranquility. And they especially hope for an escape into nature, away from the stresses of day-to-day life, away from the city. Within the constancy of human presence, Gronsky photographs recreational moments deep in forested areas or open beaches, in secluded niches or general gathering places. Meanwhile, he never loses sight of the proximity of big city life. Glimpses of high rises and industrial parks can be seen at some distance through the trees or sometimes in surprisingly close proximity to the people in their leisurely pursuits.

Gronsky started working as a freelance photographer in 1999 and joined the Photographer.ru Agency in 2003. His work has been exhibited internationally in solo and group exhibitions. Gronsky currently lives in Latvia. His images can be viewed at alexandergronsky.com.

Support for this exhibition was provided through the New York State Council on the Arts and Syracuse University. Special thanks to FotoFest in Houston and the Iris Art Foundation in Moscow.

Also on view at this time is “Wounding the Black Male,” featuring photographs from the Light Work Permanent Collection.

Gallery hours for these exhibitions are Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (except school holidays), and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 315-443-1300. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Paid parking is available in Booth Parking Garage.