Howard Harris has immersed himself with tremendous passion in the pursuit of his art. A Denver native he earned a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute, then studied at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He has focused on photography ever since. These current photos are nearly impossible to classify regarding their medium, they are part photography, part sculpture, and part computer manipulated digital art. Harris has said his aim is to “combine technology and aesthetics in a way that expands the viewer’s experience….”
His unique way of image-making begins with a digital photograph. He often abstracts the image within the computer in some way, perhaps enhancing the colors or he skews the entire composition. The image is then layered over itself in a grided and slightly enlarged form directly printed onto acrylic plex. The final result gives an illusion of dimension and his presentation is unique… a never seen before technique.
For simplicity, Harris often strips away the backgrounds and shadows, and his gridded system gives the art an unexpected sense of movement. One’s eye seems to dance as it tries to focus on this multi-level image.
The subject matter he chooses to bring to life varies greatly: animals; architecture; landscapes; portraits, and sometimes pure abstracted colorful shapes. No matter the subject matter, each image has a presence that cannot be denied. Any piece of art that captures attention and does not get boring after constant focus, is worth recognition and Harris’s work keeps your attention!
Howard Harris has invented a way to make “photography” new and interesting again.
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Harris was born in Denver, Colorado and today maintains a home studio in Denver. He has exhibited extensively all around the United States.
(Source: Photos by ARTS & FOOD staff, additional photos and video courtesy of Agora Gallery NYC)
