Trained both as an artist and scientist, Deanna Witman searches for metaphysical understanding and meaning amongst the rocks and trees. She chooses to work with the pinhole camera because of it’s capacity to experience time, place, and spirit. Moving the shim across the pinhole to allow the light in, for the moment to record on the film has become ritual. Metamorphosis is a frequent consequence of the temporal aspect of her process, slowly unexpected forms emerge, un/becoming- figures in the work suggest ephemeral states and exist within primordial realms.
The photographs are obsessively sought and exist privately in the longing to communicate intrinsic thoughts and experiences. A measure of existence, in rhythm with the Earth’s breath, a communion with the crust of dead leaves and soil that give life and shape to her imagination and being.
These images were created in camera with one negative exposed using a large format pinhole camera. The images are then printed to archival standards. Ten prints are made from each negative. All images are untitled, stamped with the year corresponding to when the negative was created.
Deanna is an artist living and working on the coast of Maine, and is a native of Pennsylvania. She holds a M.F.A. in Photography from Maine Media College and a B.S. Degree in Environmental Biology from Kutztown University. As an artist/educator, she strives to impart her passion for creating. She has taught photography and the History of Photography at Project Basho, the Community College of Philadelphia, Maine Media Workshops, and the Farnsworth Art Museum. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in private collections.
