bering and james gallery

BERING & JAMES GALLERY // MAR 18 // 5-9PM

Bering & James - 805 Rhode Place, #500 Houston, TX 77019
www.beringandjames.com

Traces of Her
Shelley Calton

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Bering & James present the premier exhibition of Traces of Her, the newest work of
well known Houston-based photographer, Shelley Calton. With a romantic
sensibility, Calton traces the roots of contemporary femininity through nostalgic
glimpses into the closets, drawers, and makeup tables of woman of years past. In
her series Invisible Thread, Calton defines a physical and symbolic space in
women’s lives. Elegant and tasteful whispers of vintage lingerie are draped
against luminous backdrops of memory. Reminiscent of personal moments,
nightgowns and slips reflect the private truths of individual women’s experiences.
Perhaps more importantly, Invisible thread suggests the common elements that
connect all women and the ways that feminine bodies have been covered,
contained and desired. Continuing her photographic exploration of the feminine
experience, Calton photographs essential items in Necessaire. In these images
Calton focuses her archetypal eye on the intimate objects found in past boudoirs
with portraits of vintage hair rollers, tiaras, perfume bottles and other small
necessities. Sensual and tactile, the images bring to mind the women who used
these vanity boxes and powder puffs. ---Tracy Xavia Karner, Guest Curator.
Since being featured on the cover of Shots Magazine 2008 Portfolio Issue, Winter
2008, Houstonian Shelley Calton’s latest body of work Invisible Thread has grown
to include over 30 striking toned black and white photographs of vintage lingerie.
She has expanded the project with a sister portfolio, Necessaire, images of
women’s past necessities. Her first book, Hard Knocks: Rolling with the Derby Girls,
was just released by Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg, 2009. Featured articles and
interviews have been written in Texas Monthly, the Houston Chronicle, and
Fracture magazine. A short video by Texas Photo Buffet website reveals a bit
about Shelley and her work. Represented by Bering and James in Houston, she
also serves as a Board Member and Auction Chairperson for the Houston Center
for Photography.