Winter Group Show: John Delaney

Adashkhan II, 1998 © John Delaney | Gelatin-Silver Print, 15x15", Ed. of 24, $1,500

Included in photo-eye Gallery's current Winter Group Show are four exquisite gelatin silver prints by photographer John Delaney. If you love classic portraiture and traditional silver prints than Delaney's series Golden Eagle Nomads are not to be missed. Last on view in the summer of 2013, we chose to revisit this series in the Winter Group Show due to Delaney's stunning print quality, majestic subjects, and masterful execution. Gallery Associate Savannah Sakry speaks about her favorite image from the exhibition below:

"Upon first viewing John Delaney's portaits of the ancient Kazakh Eagle Hunters of Mongolia, I stopped dead in my tracks. Their beauty instantly left me gasping for air. I was not previously familiar with the work, nor the nomadic hunters, but I knew what I seeing was something of extraordianry significance – historically, artisically, spiritually. As if looking into another era, or perhaphs realm, I asked in what world does man coexisit in such a symbiotic way with an animal as magnificent as the Golden Eagle? Who has photographed them with such elegance, reminiscent of my favorite portrait giants such as Penn and Avedon? I had to know more. I discovered Delaney had traveled to Mongolia with a portable studio, been warmly welcomed by the Kazakh nomads and captured these breathtaking portraits with a large format view camera, gift the families polaroids from the shoot and then return to the states to make these striking silver fiber prints. Each one near perfection with it's glistening range in tones. My very favorite image from the series, Son of Yuton - White Coat is remarkable not only for the rich textures and otherwordly fashion but mainly for the special bond between the young man and his eagle which Delaney has captured in it's entirety. Man and Eagle, eye to eye, soul to soul - in this moment they are equals."