For photographer Joshua Jalbert, the camera offers exciting new ways to perceive the world. “Photography, for me, is a question of perception and experience, not of representation,” he explains. “Photography presses at the borders of the visual. It makes the visual explode and unfolds access to perception and feeling.” In an ambitious series of photo-based light and color abstractions on display at Galerie 124, Jalbert explores the magic of the medium, using traditional photographic chemicals in non-traditional ways. He exhibits an elegant series of prints depicting rain, light and wind, probing the natural world for patterns. Cursive squiggles, black lines and white orbs recur in tight, grid-like geometric formations.
“My work starts from the photographic and pushes towards the non-photographic,” he explains, “always wanting to look over the horizon of what is already possible but nonetheless wanting to maintain a connection to photography’s traditions.” Influenced by the music of John Cage, the art of Paul Klee and the philosophy of Theodor Adorno, Jalbert became increasingly interested in photography’s potential to depict deeper truths about nature, time and space. He uses chemicals and photo paper — rather than film or pixels — to capture sunlight in dappled, striated black and white forms and to study silver raindrops clinging and dripping in animated harmony.
“I became gradually more interested in photography over time through classes and my own practice,” he says, “but have only come to genuinely appreciate the complexity of photography through many years of involvement with it.” When experimenting with photo chemicals, Jalbert invites accidents and surprises, which add another dimension to his work. “The most important lesson that I’ve learned from photography is that what comes unwilled or self-imposed is so often much more interesting and valuable than any idea that I may have started with,” he says. “Photography transforms the non-visual into the visual and demonstrates that what was previously invisible and unimagined can be portrayed.”
- Allison Hersh, Ph.D.
Josh Jalbert | Curriculum Vitae
Education
2012
Postgraduate study (ABD), Philosophy, Art and Critical Thought, European Graduate School, Saas-Fee, Switzerland
2007
MFA, Photography, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2003
BFA, Photography, Lesley University College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
2000
AA, Photography, Maine Media College, Rockport, ME
Academic Appointments
2010 - present
Professor of Photography, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
2012/16/17/19/20
Professor of Photography, Lacoste School of the Arts (SCAD), Lacoste, FR
2009
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
2007-08
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
2006
Instructor of Record, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Courses Taught
Savannah College of Art and Design
SFIN 780H – Photography in the Expanded Field
SFIN 330 – Digital Tools for Fine Arts
CLC 580 – Photo Printing Experience
PHOT 779 – Graduate Teaching Internship
PHOT 775 – Photographic Arts V
PHOT 764 – Photographic Arts IV
PHOT 762 – Issues in Contemporary Photo
PHOT 753 – Photographic Arts III
PHOT 749 – Photography MA Final Portfolio
PHOT 743 – Constructed Photography
PHOT 737 – Photographic Video
PHOT 722 – Photographic Arts II
PHOT 719 – Photographic Arts I
PHOT 718 – Photography MA Portfolio
PHOT 714 – Digital Craft I
PHOT 709 – Graduate Critique Seminar
PHOT 503 – Photography Portfolio Process
PHOT 501 – Survey: History of Photography
PHOT 475 – Fine Art Portfolio
PHOT 426 – Photography and New Media
PHOT 419 – Digital Video Media
PHOT 402 – Developing a Personal Vision
PHOT 330 – The Fabricated Image
PHOT 319 – Photography Project Seminar II
PHOT 240 Survey II: 1930s – Digital Era
PHOT 219 – Photography Project Seminar I
PHOT 201 – Video Tech for Photographers
PHOT 114 – Photographic Foundations II
PHOT 113 – Photographic Foundations I
Lacoste School of Art
PHOT 317 – Photographic Travel
PHOT 240 – History of Photography II
PHOT 219 – Photography Project Seminar I
PHOT 113 – Photographic Foundations I
The College of Wooster
ARTS 45200 – Senior Independent Study
ARTS 29900 – S/T: Conceptual Strategies
ARTS 35900 – Advanced Photography
ARTS 25900 – Intermediate Photography
ARTS 15900 – Introduction to Photography
Southern Oregon University
ART 498 – Senior Studio Practice
ART 480 – BFA Thesis and Critique
ART 441 – Photography Seminar
ART 443 – Special Projects in Photography
ART 342 – Color Photography
ART 343 – Photo Mixed Media
ART 240 – Introduction to Photography
University of Oregon
ARTO 250 – Introduction to Photography
Exhibitions
2020
Photo London, Somerset House, Strand, London
2017
Hybrids, Alexander Hall Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA (curated by Ben Tollefson and Amanda York, SCAD assistant curators) (invitational)
2016
REAL-PHOTO, international juried exhibition, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH (catalogue)
SECAC Annual Juried Exhibition, Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University, Roanoke, VA (Juror: Jenine Culligan, Director of the Wilson Museum, Roanoke, VA (catalogue)
GIF Festival, Jepson Center for the Arts, Savannah, GA (curated by Corey Eisenberg)
2015
Solo Exhibition, Eco-Ambient, Galerie 124, Savannah, GA (curated by Jeanne Svendson Campbell, gallery owner, Galerie 124, Savannah, GA) (invitational)
Solo Exhibition, Signature, Andrews Gallery, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA (curated by Eliot Dudik, Coordinator of the Andrews Gallery, Williamsburg, VA) (invitational)
Gesture, Gutstein Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA (curated by Alexandra Sachs, Executive Director and Curator of SCAD Atlanta galleries) (invitational)
Collected Works, Galerie 124, Savannah, GA (curated by Jeanne Svendson Campbell, gallery owner, Galerie 124, Savannah, GA)
Small Works, Gutstein Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA (Juror: Chris Constas, Exhibition Manager, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA)
2012
Maurice Blanchot’s Madness of the Day, European Graduate School, Saas-Fee, Switzerland (invitational)
Modern Masters: Works on Paper (from the Permanent Collection of The Schneider Museum of Art), Umpqua Valley Arts Association, Roseburg, OR
2011
Solo Exhibition, Notations from Nature, Stevenson Union Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR (invitational)
2010
b.a.l.m. White, Hausmann Millworks, San Antonio, TX (curated by Darin M. White)
2009
New Visions, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO (curated by Michael Itkoff, Associate Professor, School of Visual Arts, NY)
White, Signs of Life Gallery, Lawrence, KS (curated by Darin M. White) (catalogue)
Geometric Sequence: Random or Otherwise, Caladan Gallery, Cambridge, MA (juried exhibition)
Art in Nature, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO (Juror: Kathy Moran National Geographic Senior Editor)
Snap to Grid, Los Angeles Center for Digital Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Recent Acquisitions, Heiter Gallery, Ashland, OR
Faculty Exhibition, Schneider Museum of Art, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
2008
Solo Exhibition, Notations from Nature, College of the Siskiyous, Weed, CA (invitational)
A Thousand Words, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA (curated by Heather Horn Johnson, Gallery Director, CWU) (invitational)
Bounty!, Liberty Arts, Yreka, CA (Juror: James Gilmore, Professor of Art, College of the Siskiyous, Weed, CA)
Open/End, Master of Fine Arts, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR
2007
Photography: What Now?, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY (Juror: Anita Douthat, Associate Director, Carl Solway Gallery, Cincinnati, OH)
Two-Person Exhibition, Notations from Nature, Laverne Kraus Gallery, Eugene, OR
8.5x11 Project, Arts and Literature Lab, New Haven, CT
Masterpieces, international juried exhibition, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH (catalogue)
Millions Taken Daily, Museum of Art, University of Maine, Bangor, ME
Allied Arts Scholarship Show, Allied Arts, Richland, WA (first place award)
Recent Graduates, Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR (invitational)
One Night Stand, Laurel Hill Art Center, Eugene, OR (juried)
2006
Trace, Aperture Gallery, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
MFA Photography, Laverne Kraus Gallery, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2005
Graduate Student Exhibition, Laverne Kraus Gallery, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2003
Two-Person Exhibition, BFA Thesis, Lesley University College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
Conferences
2016
“Analogue After Digital,” A Return to the Studio Through the Analogue, panelist, Mid America College Art Association Conference, Cincinnati, OH, October 27
Expanding the Frame: New Visions of Photography in the Past Century, session chair, Southeastern College Art Association Conference, Roanoke, VA, October 22
“The Limits of Art,” Limitations and Artistic Practice: Toward a Philosophical Reexamination, panelist, Southeastern College Art Association Conference, Roanoke, VA, October 22
2014
“UnDisciplining the Doctorate,” The Studio-Art Doctorate, panelist, Southeastern College Art Association Conference, Sarasota, FL, October 10
2012
The Madness of Photography, session chair, Fourth Biennial Art History Symposium, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, February 11
2011
“Notations from Nature,” Pecha Kucha, panelist, Southeastern College Art Association Conference, Savannah, GA, November 10
2008
“Notations from Nature,” Art Ecologies, panelist, Thinking Through Nature: Philosophy for an Endangered Nature Conference, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, June 21
Grants / Fellowships / Awards
2018
Faculty Sabbatical Grant, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
2016
Juror’s Choice Award, SECAC Annual Juried Exhibition, Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
2014
Savannah College of Art and Design Faculty Stipend Award, Savannah, GA
2007
Dean’s Graduate Fellowship, Department of Architecture and Allied Arts, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Allied Arts Association Northwest MFA Grant, Allied Arts Association Art Center and Gallery, Richland, WA
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Department of Art, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
2006
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Department of Art, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Visiting Artist Lectures
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, March 23, 2017
Miami Dade College, Kendall, FL, March 1, 2017
St. Petersburg College, Clearwater, FL, February 15, 2017
Eastern Florida State College, Melbourne, FL, February 14, 2017
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, March 2, 2015
Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL, March 18, 2010
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, PA, May 12, 2010
The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, April 9, 2009
Schneider Museum of Art, Ashland, OR, 2009
College of the Siskiyous, Weed, CA, 2008
Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, January 10, 2008
Portfolio Reviews
Lens Culture (2015-present), https://www.lensculture.com/
Etobicoke School of the Arts, Toronto, ON, November 6, 2015
Beal Art, London, ON, November 5, 2015
Society for Photographic Education National Conference, Baltimore, MD, March 8, 2014
Photo Festival, University of South Carolina, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, SC, December 6, 2013
Armstrong State University, Savannah, GA, December 18, 2013
School of Visual Art and Design, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, November 29, 2011
Exhibitions Juried
2016, LOOK HERE!, Welmont Gallery, Savannah, GA
2011-15, Silver & Ink, Gutstein Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
2014, Film & Photography Festival, International Oil Spill Conference, Savannah, GA
2012, Big Picture Show, Glynn Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA
2008, Cell Phone Photo, Meyer Memorial Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
University & Professional Service
Savannah College of Art and Design
2019-2021, Graduate Coordinator, eLearning Photography Graduate Program
2018-2019, Chair, Faculty Council for Instructional Videos
2017-2019, Faculty Instructor, Educator Workshop Forum
2016-18, Graduate Studies Faculty Council
2016, School of Fine Arts Curriculum Committee Member
2012-16, Admission Outreach/Travel
2011-19, Admission Counseling/Portfolio Reviews
2010-16, Graduate Thesis Committee Member
2010-16, Advisor, Photo Group Student Club
2015, Editor, “Look Here!,” student exhibition catalog, http://www.blurb.com/b/7036445
Writer, articles for the CLC Collaborative Sharing Resource
2015, ESL Art Critique Workshop
2011-13, Faculty Development Council
2012, Juror, Scholastic Art Awards, Georgia Regional Affiliate
Southern Oregon University
2007-08, Curriculum Development Committee, Department of Art & Art History
Departmental Assessment Committee, Department of Art & Art History
Publications As Author
“Digital .JIF,” Paprika Southern, Issue 14, August 2014. 28–37. http://issuu.com/paprikasouthern/docs/august2014/29?e=7619734/8853327
“Art-Working Responsibly,” Paprika Southern, Issue 3, August 2013. 66–70. http://issuu.com/paprikasouthern/docs/august/67?e=7619734/8188069
Print Media (Reviews/Articles/Catalogues/Interviews)
Allison Hersch, “Art & Soul: Photographer draws with chemical in new exhibit at Galerie 124,” Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA, December 2015
Lauren Flotte, “Fall Preview: Visual Arts,” Connect Savannah, Savannah, GA, September 16, 2015
Lenny Holland, “SU Gallery showing Jalbert exhibit,” The Siskiyou, Ashland, OR, April 17, 2011
Heather Horn Johnson, “A Thousand Words” (exhibition catalogue), Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Ellensburg, WA, October, 2008
Suzi Steffen, “The Body, Deconstructed,” Eugene Weekly, June 22, 2008
Laura Vandenburgh, “Open/End” (exhibition catalog), Department of Art, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 2008
Jason Franz, “Masterpieces” (exhibition catalogue), Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, volume 21, July, 2007
Website & Blog Publications
Distillery of Modern Art (blog), September 16, 2019. Bend Light, with Josh Jalbert. https://distilleryofmodernart.com/bend-light-with-josh-jalbert/
Cortney Langley, “Andrews Gallery to display Josh Jalbert’s ‘Signatures’,” William & Mary, February 25, 2015. http://www.collegeart.org/guidelines/visartcv
Center for Fine Art Photography, “Josh Jalbert,” Perspectives (blog). January 20, 2010. http://www.c4fap.org/featured/new-visions-josh-jalbert/
Blake Andrews, “Joshua Jalbert,” Blake Andrews (blog), November 27, 2007. http://blakeandrews.blogspot.com/2007/11/joshua-jalbert.html
Collections
Distillery of Modern Art, Atlanta, GA
Schneider Museum of Art, Ashland, OR
Work in Private Collections in Oregon, California, Washington, Boston, Kansas, Georgia, Maine, Ohio, Virginia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Florida
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Hyatt Andaz, Savannah, GA
Hilton DeSoto, Savannah, GA
Gallery Affiliations
Nascent Art, New York, NY
DAC Art Consulting, Atlanta, GA
Galerie 124, Savannah, GA
Gutstein Gallery, Savannah, GA
SCAD Art Sales, Savannah, GA
Professional Organizations
College Art Association (CAA), New York, NY
Mid-America College Art Association (MACAA)
Society for Photographic Education (SPE), Cleveland, OH
Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC), Carrboro, NC
Related Work Experience
2006
Photographer, Matthew Ritchie Studio, Eugene City Courthouse, OR
Product Photographer, Swahili African Modern, Eugene, OR
Photo Assistant, Sports Illustrated Staff Photographer Rich Frishman, Eugene, OR
2003-05
Gallery Administrator, Martin Lawrence Gallery, Boston, MA
1999-2000
Photo Archivist (Glass Plate Collection), Rockport College, Rockport, ME