BAT/ON
Monographic Solo Exhibition · Autobiographical & Civic Archive
A commissioned portrait exhibition exploring generational lineage, artistic stewardship, and relational dynamic through the structural lens of August Wilson’s Fences.
THE COMMISSION
Commissioned by Trinity Repertory Company alongside their 2024 production of August Wilson’s Fences, Bat/on is a multi-layered solo exhibition and visual essay. The title operates as a dual motif: referencing the central presence of baseball in Wilson’s narrative while grounding the handoff of legacy across artistic generations. Centered on a family dedicated to the arts—parents, partner, and shared creative history—the project examines the personal and professional dynamics that sustain a life in theater and image-making. Building on a direct connection to the text—having previously directed August Wilson’s Fences at Mixed Magic Theatre in 2013—the exhibition bridges theatrical direction, family history, and institutional memory.
FIELDWORK & DIRECTORIAL METHOD
The work took shape across two core environments: the stage at Mixed Magic Theatre and a private home studio. Built on formal studio lighting, high-contrast monochrome values, and deliberate optical pacing, the sittings position subjects at the intersection of family lineage and cultural stewardship. The process treats the portrait session as an intentional encounter—slowing down the dynamic between director and subject to emphasize spatial presence, quiet strength, and shared memory. Within the gallery, the installation sequencing builds a dialogue between stage performance and living history, translating personal heritage into lasting visual literature.
SPECS & PRODUCTION SCOPE
Scope: Institutional commissioned exhibition & autobiographical study
Environment: Mixed Magic Theatre & home studio
Format: Monochrome hybrid optical systems (Pentax 67 analog & Fujifilm GFX 50S II digital medium format)
Output: Archival black-and-white gallery prints, spatial exhibition layout, and wall text architecture
EXHIBITION ARCHIVE
PROJECT STATUS & ARCHIVAL INQUIRIES
Bat/on is a completed body of work. The archive and primary prints are available for institutional exhibition, monograph publication, and permanent collection acquisitions.