‘Bone Collector Art Show’ at Mat-Su College April 30 to June 9

PALMER — An exhibition of work by Wasilla photographer Jeanette Rogers, called the “Bone Collector,” opens at Mat-Su College next week.

An opening reception is planned from 1 to 3 p.m., April 30, in the College Art Gallery in the Fred and Sara Machetanz Building, Room 200. The show will hang from April 30 to June 9. The Mat-Su College Art Gallery is open to the public and admission is free.

This project was a collaborative endeavor between Rogers the artist, and Tiffany Zagula, curator and publicist. It was a culmination assignment in the college’s “Profession of Art” course, which is facilitated by instructor Felicia Desimini.

Rogers’ distinctive images contrast refreshingly with the exhausted landscape and wildlife art often seen in Alaska.

While a show titled “Bone Collector” might seem macabre, this was not Rogers’ intent. Her series of images shows that beauty isn’t necessarily something that is only for youth, but that it can even transcend death. In this short interview, Rogers explains the inspiration and methodology behind her work.

Are you the Bone Collector?

No, the Bone Collector is a friend of mine. I am just the documenter of her collection. I took my ideas, gleaned from studying the art of still life painting and photography, to her home where I would set up the various tableaux.

What was your inspiration behind the Bone Collector theme?

My inspiration behind the “Bone Collector” was the Vanitas paintings of old and the many photographers who use the play of light and dark (chiaroscuro) in their images. I found photographing still life was easier to control than the fickle weather-accented landscapes or the uncooperative nature of nature. It must be that need to control the scene that inspired me to delve fully into still life.

Why did you choose photography?

It wasn’t by choice. I am a computer artist interested in advancing my graphic illustration skills. Unfortunately, there are no local or online degrees catering to my interest. The closest available were in Anchorage, where the days, times and weather always seemed a deterrent. University of Alaska Anchorage/Kenai Peninsula College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Art degree, but it was focused primarily on photography. I was able to incorporate some of my computer graphic work while pursuing this degree, but eventually I had to do some photography. In the online Beginning Photography class, I was able to borrow a loaner camera from KPC. The technical aspects of photography are still daunting, but it is the vast artistic opportunities that excite me about this digital art.

What do you hope others will feel

when they are

viewing the show?

I hope the photographs draw the viewer in, to look closely at the bones or shells. To see what was there and what has been left behind … the empty skulls, shells, and skins. This is not intended to be macabre; it is intended to show that there is great beauty in life and in death. Meticulous care was taken by the Bone Collector to gather, maintain and preserve these treasures. I would hope that the viewers would get that same respect for these wonderful animals as well as a consideration of their own mortality.

Tiffany Zagula is the publicist, interviewer and curator of the show.