Monmouth Museum NJ Emerging Artists Series presents Eric Williams

The Monmouth Museum's NJ Emerging Artists Series presents

Eric Williams: Light, Landscape and Longing, scenes from the railroad corridor

Photography

March 22 – April 20, 2019

Opening Reception: March 22, 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Gallery Talk: April 3, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm, admission $8

The Opening Reception and Artist Gallery Talk are FREE and Open to the Public

Artist Statement:
Where the railroad laid its track, a narrow, long sinuous corridor is formed that creates a new landscape. Traveling across the country, I see this distinctive railroad landscape and my eyes follow the glistening silver rails as they recede into the horizon, but all too soon the tracks are enveloped by the surrounding landscape. Even though the tracks may no longer be visible, they continue on as one long unbroken line linking us geographically. But they are more than a conduit; for the rails also carry our imagination, dreams and memories. The rails have the power to bring us to a place unseen, a place we yearn to be.

The railroad’s relationship to the land and its ability to link us geographically and emotionally have inspired my vision. The railroad creates a geography of longing, for this narrow corridor originates much of the history, lore and evocative power that are imbedded into our shared American psyche. Where will these ribbons of steel lead me – for the silver rails don’t have a beginning nor an ending.

Artist Gallery Talk, April 3, 2019, from 7:00 -8:00 pm, admission is FREE

About Eric Williams

Eric Williams is a professional Creative Director with a passion for railroad themed fine art photography. He resides in Millburn, NJ, and travels by train and subway daily to his Manhattan employer. Formally trained as an industrial designer, he is a self-taught photographer who brings his love for design and narrative to create images that illuminate the relationship between people, landscape and the railroad.

While his images span the breath of the American railroad system, many of the images are made close to his home, with some featuring the commuter rail systems that are integrated into daily life for many, including Eric. With a deep understanding of the historical, economic, and cultural place of the railroad, Eric infuses his images with a subjective and emotional response that reflects his vision of the railroad’s place within the shared American psyche.
Eric’s work has received wide recognition, with awards from the Center for Railroad Photograph and Art, Trains Magazine, ND Awards, International Photography Awards (IPA) and Black & White magazine. His work has been exhibited at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, The California State Railroad Museum, The National Railroad Hall of Fame, and The Center for Fine Art Photography among places.

www.ericwilliams.photography
www.ericwilliamsblog.com