Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hood Salomon.
Hi Sarah Hood, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sarah Hood Salomon is a sculptural photographer who was born in Washington, DC. She received her MFA from Maine Media in 2023, and her BFA from Mt Holyoke College. Her primary subject matter is trees, especially those about to be cut down to make way for development. In response to the destruction, Sarah scratches, slices and purées her photographs to make sculptural pieces. She currently lives in Maryland, and has been in numerous solo and group shows. Her work is represented by Multiple Exposures Gallery in Alexandria, VA
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At the beginning of Covid, I began working on my MFA with Maine Media College. The pandemic presented numerous challenges, including a week long retreat that was held completely on Zoom. I had begun to question the physical nature of a photograph, how the world could be flattened into a two dimensional image, and why it was often trapped behind a glass barrier. The faculty were very encouraging but also challenged me to think deeply about the subject matter.
As luck would have it, my computer started to fail, and new equipment was hard to find during the early days of the pandemic. I tried to make black and white prints of my work, but they all had a horrible magenta cast. I tried numerous solutions, but the magenta cast persisted. In sheer frustration, I reached for a piece of sandpaper and scraped all the ink off of a print. Then I looked at the paper and noticed that traces of the image remained, creating a type of palimpsest. I took another print, and started sanding the image in a more deliberate way. It was very satisfying to no longer treat the photograph as a precious object. I swept up the photographic dust and cast it in resin to create sculptural photographs.
Working with resin involved a huge learning curve. The fumes are not safe to breathe, so I purchased a respirator as well as various mixing and measuring containers. My bathroom was the initial work space, and it soon became crowded when I set up an air compressor and a pressure pot.
I sliced photographs and covered them with resin to make free standing shapes. I also put a number of prints into the blender and pureed them. The resulting pulp was also cast in resin. I continue to work with both traditional and sculptural photography, questioning the content as well as the physicality of the image.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work stems from a deep love and admiration for trees. Climate change and urbanization have created enormous challenges for the survival of our forests, and expanded human population has severely limited the amount of natural habitat. The images in my photographic sculptures were taken on properties about to be developed – the trees in the pictures were soon to be destroyed. I purposely scratch, cut, puree and disassemble my photographs in response to the imminent destruction. The images cannot be reassembled, just as a forest that has been taken down cannot be reconstructed. My work is a celebration of woodlands, but I also feel great sadness about the changes humans bring to our planet. I hope this work will help others become more aware of the beauty and fragility of the forest and its inhabitants.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I read a lot of books about trees; some of my favorites are The Genius of Trees, The Overstory, The Secret Life of Trees.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahhoodsalomon.com
- Instagram: @sarahhoodsalomon.com
