David Armentor

SMOKE STACKS, CAJUN MILL

2004

David Armentor says, "The Sugar Mill Sessions focuses on sugar production in Southwest Louisiana. It attempts to give a localized, romantic view of the industry by documenting harvest seasons of the sugar mills, Cajun Co-op, Louisiana Sugar Cane Co-op and Enterprise. With the sugar industry as a passive backdrop to my upbringing, it was natural for me use its distinctive characteristics as indicators of "home" even after relocating as an adult. Originally, this work began in 2004 with the intention of capturing these traits in a purely formal documentary fashion, following the discipline of "photograph what you know." I worked mostly at night during the harvesting season months of September through January, which gave way to a more expressive capture of the industry. This direction allowed me to give a unique perspective to an industry where sense of place is often viewed as burdensome or vexatious. Unique lighting conditions along with modernistic compositions allow the images more gentle, hushed qualities while remaining grounded in the innate industrial masculinity -- something easily overlooked by those familiar with the landscape. 'The Sugar Mill Sessions' is an ongoing body of work which has evolved going forward. Historically great artists have explored this complex industry that is ingrained in the Southern culture as it has a continual ability to serve as an umbrella for flavorful artistic expression, critique and research." Gulf coast native David Armentor is an artist who has been working in the photographic medium since 2002. He received a BA from Louisiana State University where he learned the craft of traditional photographic print making. After graduation he taught photography classes for the Baton Rouge Arts Council and worked as a freelance photographer until moving to Seattle, WA, where he continued his photographic endeavors with the Benham Gallery as the gallery manager and guest artist. He now resides in New Orleans, LA, and is the founder of St Veronica...

This is # 1 of an edition of 30 Laurence Winram is a Scottish photographer based in Edinburgh. His projects are diverse but the work most personally re...

This is # 1 of an edition of 30 Laurence Winram is a Scottish photographer based in Edinburgh. His projects are diverse but the work most personally re...

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Bob Tabor's new series titled “Night Muse ”, plays on this fascination as he is able to capture, what he believes to be, the rebirthing energy incorporated in the moon and the ocean’...

Bob Tabor's new series titled “Night Muse ”, plays on this fascination as he is able to capture, what he believes to be, the rebirthing energy incorporated in the moon and the ocean’...

"Chief" Wyoming, USA 2020 Large: 71" x 96” Edition of 12 Standard: 52" x 69" Edition of 12 This work is sourced directly from the artist. Framed Digital Pigment Print on Archival 315gsm Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta Paper Hand-signed by artist with Certificate of Authenticity Over the last few weeks we have quietly been photographing senior Native Americans against the backdrop of quintessential and emblematic American vistas.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Whilst we will be releasing some of the series in the run up to the Presidential Election, this is not an overtly political statement from us. We know that Native Americans have long had a leaning toward the Democratic Party, but we took this assignment on because it is relevant, not to be political.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ There is wide recognition now that Christopher Columbus did not discover America in 1492 and the events in Minneapolis have accelerated the debate on the possibility of institutionalised racism in the teaching of American history. This is not a discussion we want to fully engage in - as we are ill equipped to add value, but I do want to celebrate some of the tribal elders I have had the fortune to encounter in the last month. Their pride, manners, grace and humility have been humbling. We have made new friends in the North.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For this project we worked with Chief John Spotted Tail, the great-great-grandson of the fabled Lakota chief Spotted Tail. We spent two days with him in Northern Wyoming and he was so excited to wear the headpiece that only the most senior Native American chiefs like him can wear. His attire was emphatically his decision not ours. Their heritage is integral to their souls.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The ground in front of Devils Tower...

Enough is Enough Digital Pigment Print on Archival 315gsm Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta Paper This work was sourced directly from the artist. This photograph was a spontaneous behind ...

"Chief" Wyoming, USA 2020 Large: 71" x 96” Edition of 12 Standard: 52" x 69" Edition of 12 This work is sourced directly from the artist. Framed Digital Pigment Print on Archival 315gsm Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta Paper Hand-signed by artist with Certificate of Authenticity Over the last few weeks we have quietly been photographing senior Native Americans against the backdrop of quintessential and emblematic American vistas.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Whilst we will be releasing some of the series in the run up to the Presidential Election, this is not an overtly political statement from us. We know that Native Americans have long had a leaning toward the Democratic Party, but we took this assignment on because it is relevant, not to be political.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ There is wide recognition now that Christopher Columbus did not discover America in 1492 and the events in Minneapolis have accelerated the debate on the possibility of institutionalised racism in the teaching of American history. This is not a discussion we want to fully engage in - as we are ill equipped to add value, but I do want to celebrate some of the tribal elders I have had the fortune to encounter in the last month. Their pride, manners, grace and humility have been humbling. We have made new friends in the North.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For this project we worked with Chief John Spotted Tail, the great-great-grandson of the fabled Lakota chief Spotted Tail. We spent two days with him in Northern Wyoming and he was so excited to wear the headpiece that only the most senior Native American chiefs like him can wear. His attire was emphatically his decision not ours. Their heritage is integral to their souls.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The ground in front of Devils Tower...

Framed Digital Pigment Print on Archival 315gsm Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta Paper Mexico / USA, 2020 I took this photograph of the legendary West Texas cowboy - Ty Mitchell - on a sandbank on the Rio Grande. Ty stands 6ft 5” tall and my general assessment is that not much fazes this guy. Meanwhile, the location is about as good as it gets and is rather wonderfully named Contraband Creek. I was standing in Mexico and 20 yards across the river was the US. Every time I walked knee deep across the river to change a lens or camera, I entered America and then on my return I re-entered Mexico. I think I actually entered America four times in a morning - all rather surreal with this talk of a wall. I would like to thank the US Border Patrol...