Episode 20 of The Blank Canvas Podcast with Christy Lee Rogers.
“Over 5.2 billion people have smart phones with cameras, most of who fancy themselves as photographers. Well this weeks guest won Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards. That’s like winning an Olympic Gold medal in an outrageously competitive category!….”
THE CAUSE… The funds raised by The New Humanity will be donated to support New Horizons, one of the numerous projects backed by the Giuseppe e Pericle Lavazza Foundation through its almost twenty year partnership with Save the Children. New Horizons aims to combat the social and economic marginalization of the new generations from the most vulnerable categories of the population in the area around Calcutta in India and make sure they have a better future.
SEE THE FULL PROJECT HERE 2021 LAVAZZA CALENDAR
In a changing scenario in which barriers and distancing between individuals, communities and nations become necessary, Lavazza is trying to build bridges between people, drawing them closer through the universal language of art, the one capable of speaking to the heart of us all. Its aim is to show human beings’ extraordinary resilience and generate feelings of hope that will make it possible to build a “New Humanity”.
In The New Humanity 2021 calendar, 13 masters of photography present a new vision of humanity that reflects their personal viewpoints and styles. They are David LaChapelle, Simone Bramante, Martin Schoeller, Ami Vitale, Christy Lee Rogers, Steve McCurry, Joey L., Carolyn Drake, Denis Rouvre, Eugenio Recuenco, Charlie Davoli, Martha Cooper and TOILETPAPER.
The New Humanity 2021 magazine also has six cultural “ambassadors” called on to explore and amplify the multiple meanings of New Humanity and stimulate even deeper reflection on the process of restarting and reopening, starting from their own personal experience and sensibility. They are architect Carlo Ratti, designer Stella Jean, writer Alessandro Baricco, actress Kiera Chaplin, singer- songwriter Patti Smith, and Save the Children International CEO Inger Ashing.
“Everyday people can be transformed into angelic creatures with the slightest change of perspective, by using tools in new ways and allowing our mistakes to guide us toward new truths”. CLR
“Among those who call "underwater photography" their specialty, Christy Lee Rogers stands apart.
Instead of immersing herself in water, she instead follows its movement and that of models dreamily wading, by shooting from above. "I think what I do differently than most underwater photographers is that I am shooting from above the water and I'm using (the) refraction of lights," the Nashville-based photographer and filmmaker told CNN. "So you get this sort of bending (effect)."
Rogers has taken more than 15 years to develop her technique, earning multiple accolades along the way, including the Sony World Photography Award for Open Photographer of the Year in 2019. The "otherworldly" quality of her work comes from constant experimentation.”
Written by Tomeka Jones, CNN
See the full interview video and article here CNN STYLE
In an interview of contemporary photographer Christy Lee Rogers by the Colnaghi Foundation, a non-profit London organisation with the purpose of promoting Old Masters, art historian Isabelle Kent compares Christy's works to Rubens.
Isabelle, who lectures at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was a Curatorial Assistant at the Wallace Collection, said:
"Christy is best known for her pioneering use of water and pools in her photography... Christy's art plays with themes of strength and vulnerability, loss and beauty... creating ethereal and otherworldly images full of color and billowing fabrics. They have often been compared to Baroque paintings, in particular the likes of Caravaggio and I certainly think her multi-figure works, with all of their movement, really remind me of Rubens."
See the full interview here
Like most during this period, Rogers has spent much time close to home. Fueled by the events around the world she's taken this opportunity to dive in to her latest underwater collection, Human.
Drama, movement and light come to life in swirls of color, set against the darkness of night in Rogers' depiction of the strength and opposing vulnerability of humanity. With many public exhibitions closed indefinitely, she decided to release this collection online, one image a month, with complimentary outdoor installations around the world. The first being in London on the streets of the design district, with 20 foot outdoor images posted along the walkways.
SEE THE COLLECTION HERE (HUMAN)
Rogers Muses collection wins for Fine Art/ Conceptual Series, 2020 www.oneclub.org
Malta International Photo Award 19/20 awards Christy Lee Rogers with 1st place in the Abstract category for her image “A Dream Dreamed in the Presence of Reason” from her Muses Collection. The prize includes an exhibition of the winning work in Malta and a cash prize. https://maltaphotoaward.com
Venus, an etherial and luminous symbol of beauty, is the subject of International water artist and photographer Christy Lee Rogers’ latest release “Venus Rising." In response to the growing devastation of the Coronavirus around the world, she’s orchestrating a quick release of the first image from her up-until-now secret "Gravity” collection. Two edition sets will go on sale immediately, with all proceeds going to Save the Children, and No Kid Hungry charities. (Note: Charity donations will go till June 9th, 2020, and the prints will be available for normal sales starting June 10th here AVVOLA)
Inspired by Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus” and the idea that contemplating her beauty is a way to elevate the human spirit and get closer to the divine, the image shows three figures lifting up and supporting the central character on a fabric created sea shell. A representation of humanities strength to come together to protect the beauty of our way of life, and the persistence of mankind during such a vulnerable time in history. Photographed underwater, the light illuminates the central figures through darkness. A peaceful Venus appears to rise up unscathed into a moment of triumph.
Rogers says that she is dedicating this image to humanity during one of it’s most trying moments in history, with a special dedication to Italy. “Italy has a profound place in my heart, and I want to see all of it’s people, it’s artists and it’s creativity recover fast and continue to create their beauty for the world.” Rogers works have often been compared to sixteenth century Italian painters like Caravaggio, with her strong use of chiaroscuro lighting techniques.
Rogers goes on to say “I can not bear to see so much suffering in the world. It’s as if everything changed over night. I couldn’t get any of my normal routines done, and the only thing that felt right and calmed me was to create. A few days ago, upon completing the 'Venus Rising’ image, I started to feel hope again. I started to home school my son and to really see what was in front of me. So many people coming together to help, and all from a physical distance. And no matter what life may throw at us, we have the power to love, to create and to dream up our future. No one-- nothing can take that from us."
Christy Lee Rogers’ breathtaking 3-D ceiling installation at Stereoscope Coffee in Newport Beach, California, is a captivating fusion of art, architecture, and history. Collaborating with the café’s architect and designer, Wick Architecture and Land Design Studio, who sought to draw inspiration from the Renaissance and the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel, Rogers brought her signature underwater photography to life in an immersive and visually striking installation.
Christy Lee Rogers’ “She Walks in Beauty, Like the Night” will be up for auction at Christie’s London to benefit the Terrence Higgins Trust on March 3rd, 2020.
Terrence Higgins Trust is delighted to welcome you to The Auction 2020. Heralded as one of the most prestigious annual charity auctions in London. The Auction 2020 is the pinnacle event of the season which has to date raised over £4.7 million, vital funds that allow us to deliver our mission and support people living with and affected by HIV. Terrence Higgins Trust was founded in 1982 after the death of Terry Higgins. There was very little information or support available and Terry’s friends didn’t want other people to suffer as he had done in his last days. Terrence Higgins Trust has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS ever since.
Tickets for the auction are on sale here https://www.tht.org.uk/take-action/fundraising/special-events/auction
LOS ANGELES, February 3, 2020 – The non-profit arts organization The Billboard Creative opens its sixth exhibition, bringing large-format art from emerging and established artists to 34 billboards across Los Angeles. Christy Lee Rogers’ “Harmony” image is selected for Sunset Blvd. and Silverlake Blvd. billboard.
More info here
The Little Black Gallery is delighted to present More Girls! Girls! Girls! - an online auction of photographs exclusively on Paddle8 until 27 January.
Curated by The Little Black Gallery co-founder Ghislain Pascal, this is the third Girls! Girls! Girls! sale - highlighting the female form with an array of beautiful and seductive photographs. Women take center stage in this auction celebrating the female nude in all its glory.
More Girls! Girls! Girls! features 71 artworks by some of the photographic greats including Helmut Newton, Norman Parkinson, Bob Carlos Clarke, Duffy, Patrick Lichfield, and Marco Glaviano, alongside contemporary names Bruno Bisang, Guido Argentini, Steven Lyon, Vee Speers and Quentin Shih, and emerging female photographers Anouska Beckwith, Scarlett Carlos Clarke, Christy Lee Rogers, Kate Bellm, Nadia Wicker, and Shae DeTar.
See the full sale & bid here.
Commissioned by Apple… Water + Light (watch here) The behind-the-scenes Process Film
Photographer Christy Lee Rogers shoots under water to create photographic works that push the possibilities of movement, color and light.
Christy’ donation of artwork to South African leadership foundation is auctioned off for almost 5 times it’s retail value. MAD Leadership Foundation focuses on identifying, supporting and developing the future leaders of South Africa. They provide a comprehensive, personal and long-term scholarship programme, offering scholars support in the areas of mentorship and personal, academic and leadership development.
