proof of everything and nothing at all

Peter j. ketchum

a plus/space installation

PROOF OF EVERYTHING AND NOTHING AT ALL is an exhibit of Peter J. Ketchum’s work created with found, repurposed photos as a central element in large mixed media works. The works are visual meditations on mortality and immortality—and on morality and immorality. Photographs are proof. They are visual evidence of our having been here. Whether an 1850’s daguerrotype, a cabinet card, arcade photo, or modern selfie, a photo is proof of our existence. It preserves our image--and actions-- for future generations. Photographs are proof of love, hate, crime, and identity. They document important milestones and everyday mundanity. They are evidence, verification, corroboration and authentication. They are confirmation and visual testimony. Photographic proof is irrefutable.
In making most of these works, an enlargement of a found black and white image or graphic was altered-- add this here, delete that there. It was then colored with acrylics, pens, markers, photo dyes, pencils and/or paint pens and incorporated into the larger, mixed media work.
Ketchum’s art is a collaboration with unknown photographers and subjects. The people in the pictures, made anonymous by time and negligence, lived in a moment as impermanent and ethereal as yours and mine. Like all of us, they smiled bravely at the camera…
SNAP! CLICK!
And were gone. Pulvis et umbra sumus.

about the artist:

Peter J. Ketchum received a degree in fine arts from Colby College, did additional studio work at the School of Visual Arts (NYC), and filmmaking at NYU. He studied privately with George Baer (Chicago Art Institute Professor, Salisbury School)
The Brooklyn-based artist’s work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute and the Norfolk Historical Society. It has been shown at The Brooklyn Museum, The Bushnell, The Discovery Museum, The Guggenheim Downtown, and The Springfield Museum of Fine Art.
Five of his works were included in “35 Artists of North America” curated by Thomas Krens, former head of the Guggenheim. The artist has shown in solo and group shows, including Exit Art, Lumina, MetroPictures, SOHO 20, HERE, The Williamsburg (Brooklyn) Art Center, ArtWell, Bachelier/Cardonsky, Charter Oak Cultural Center, The Bushnell, Satellite Art Fair and TNC Gallery/NY.
Curators and/or gallery owners who have shown Ketchum’s work include Ethan and Ivan Karp (OK Harris, NYC), Susan Dunne (Pace NYC), John Klein (The Aldrich Museum) and Matthew Druitt (The Guggenheim).
Artists To Watch publishes his greeting card series worldwide. His Artspan web is www.peterjketchum.com.

"Peter J. Ketchum knows how to get the viewer's attention. Shown widely around the country, his pictures commingle colors, people, situations, commentary and mediums in a manner that is provocative, funny and to the point. Attempts to pigeonhole the work as Pop, folk, cartoon, mixed-media, collage, anthropomorphic, or merely strange tend to fall short of the mark!"
- The New York Times

GALLERY HOURS:

Thursday - Sunday, 1 - 6pm, or by appointment. Please email hanne@fivemyles.org, or call 718-783-4438.

DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

FiveMyles is in part supported by the New York State Council for the Arts, Public Funds from the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, the Perlemeter Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Joseph Robert Foundation, and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation.