January 26 - march 31, 2023

Convergence is presented on the second floor in the Community Spotlight Gallery.

“I have always been attracted to the constructed world and its geometric elements. These elements converge in ways that are both intentional and unintentional.”

— Bill McSherry

THE ART OF OBSERVATION

“One cannot plan to shoot in fog, other than to know when it is more likely, and be prepared to chase the opportunities when they arise.”

McSherry uses atmospheric conditions to his advantage; this is especially evident in his photograph of the Dames Point Bridge. Thick fog permeates the scene, obscuring the bridge as it recedes into the distance. His composition provides depth and commentary: expertly framed between two tree limbs, the structure of nature’s organic forms are compared with the rigid lines of man-made suspension cables and concrete pilings. Foggy conditions often reduce contrast, so his inclusion of the sun (and its position relative to his camera angle) provides the necessary highlights and shadows to produce dramatic tension.

architectural ‘insights’

Showcasing an array of photographs taken over a period of ten years, McSherry’s images are notable for their exceptional quality and varied approach: the depiction of bold architectural details and scenes gives way to abstraction and graphic minimalism.

Whether rendering a scene in color or black and white, he utilizes the strong contrast between light and dark areas to his advantage.

McSherry’s ability to render scenes in a direct manner–or reduce the urban landscape into a series of shapes, textures and patterns– attests to his versatility as a photographer.

The layout of the exhibition is designed to influence the way the viewer sees and experiences these architectural ‘insights’. Divided into two sections, the first focuses exclusively on his color imagery, presenting a palette of saturated hues both warm and inviting; the latter concentrates on his monochromatic work which exploits an intensity of tonal values–with emphasis on texture, shape and line.

“This Bank of America building is the tallest in Jacksonville. I have always felt it to be an imposing monolithic structure, but with a graphical façade that keeps it from being forbidding. I took this photograph on a cloudless day in strong sunlight to achieve maximum contrast and convey both aspects of the structure.”

The majority of the images on display are presented as individual objects and arranged in linear fashion, while others are exhibited in comparative grids of three and four photographs.

*Bethel Baptist Church*, Jacksonville, FL

“Tampa is a surprisingly rich and varied architectural city. I took advantage of a parking garage in order to achieve a better vantage point for photographing some nearby buildings. When I was done, I came back down this staircase and happened to look upwards. Ironically, this unplanned photograph was better than anything than I had taken from the top level.”