Model Society

about J. Carson Barnes

Male

I’ve been making photographs, prints, and combining techniques for more than four decades, and painting since childhood. Under Fritz Janschka at Bryn Mawr and Haverford and with Chris Johnson at California College of the Arts, I hold a BA in fine arts and an MFA. My work is in private collections in many of the United States, as well as private collections in several European countries, and one museum permanent collection.

Long ago, I worked with a few creative models, making photosilkscreen prints with their images. Since 2014, I’ve been photographing and “bringing to life” female portrait statues, these women mostly now unknown. Childbirth was often fatal, disease rampant, war, literally, on the horizon; women maintained society and civilization, expecting to leave no legacy. They were mostly brave, courageous, and valiant. Immortalized in stone but forgotten, it’s my work to find out who they, and their sculptors, were.

I am their medium and they are my calling. Their stories matter. This is the time to honor these women who laughed, raged, were inspired, and loved.

I depict them to celebrate them. I remember them to honor them.

I hope you, in your turn, cannot forget them.