Works Emerge on the Path to the Objective

—First, what did you aim to show with this solo exhibition?

Ethridge: People often refer to me as one of the "American photographers," but I don't necessarily like being called that. However, it is a fact that it's one facet of who I am, and I think it's also a facet of the work I'm showing this time. But in reality, my aim is to present everyday subjects like landscapes, flowers, and sunsets as an extension of the history of photography itself. That said, it's not essential for the viewer to know about the history of photography or my intentions.



—Could you briefly introduce your activities up to this point?

Ethridge: I've been based in New York since moving here in 1997. I shoot commercial photography for magazines and advertisements, and I also take pictures while traveling or in between commercial assignments. In terms of creating my own work, I've taken a long time to compile photographs that capture fleeting moments of everyday life, leading to photo books or solo exhibitions. For example, the "Horses" series, which is also featured in this exhibition, was initially shot over eight months for the magazine "Travel + Leisure."



—Do you always go out to shoot with a specific theme in mind?

Ethridge: Of course, for commercial work, but I always have an intention when I go out to shoot, regardless of the project. However, I usually end up taking pictures along the way, thinking "this is good too, that's good too," and that continuous flow ultimately becomes the work. Later today, the people from RAT HOLE are taking me to Shinjuku, and I'll probably be taking photos there too. That's how my photographs come to be.

An Exhibition Close to "Truth" in That It Reflects Me Honestly

—Did you start creating your own work or commercial photography first?

Ethridge: My own work came first. I graduated from art school in Atlanta in 1995, and I didn't do commercial work until I moved to New York in 1997. The "Flowers" series, which is part of this exhibition, is one of the bodies of work I created during that period.



—So you're exhibiting them again now.

Ethridge: No, not exactly. These photographs were originally in color. When I decided to include them in the RAT HOLE exhibition, I thought about how to transform them into something new. That's when I came up with the idea of removing the color. I often try to create something new by using old stock photos, and this work is one such attempt.



Roe Ethridge "Goodnight Flowers"
On view until Sunday, April 26, 2009
RAT HOLE GALLERY
12:00-20:00 (Closed Mondays)

RAT HOLE GALLERY & BOOKS
5-5-3-B1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6419-3581
http://www.ratholegallery.com