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Habitat 7

February 16, 2006- March 25, 2006

Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao

Julie Saul Gallery

535 W 22nd St

Jeff Liao is a recent MFA graduate from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Recently the winner of the New York Times Magazine 2nd Annual "Capture the Times" photography contest, his first fully realized body of work, titled Habitat 7, is a compelling series of images gravitating about the IRT 7 Train in Queens, New York. Liao's inspiration for this project is tied to the rise of early human civilizations in river valleys. The 7 Train, which connects the borough of Queens to Times Square in Manhattan, has seen a similar pattern of human settlement along its path ever since it was first constructed in the early 1900s. Just as early civilizations depended on rivers for food and fertile land, so the train allowed an improved quality of life for twentieth century immigrants, enabling people to form their own distinct communities on the outskirts of the city.

Having lived in the shadow of the 7 train for many years, Liao continues to be fascinated with the diverse complexity of the communities that lie therein. As he says: "In my imagery, you will see 7 trains relentlessly rumble through different communities, and along its tracks vibrant details of these thriving communities that depend on the very existence of the train." In order to acheive his vision, Liao relies on a background in documentary photography, and draws influence from photographers such as Bernd and Hilla Becher and Andreas Gursky. However, Liao's work moves well beyond the sphere of traditional documentation. Using a large format 8 x 10 negative, he takes several pictures of the same location over the course of a day and uses digital technology to combine elements captured in the various exposures into images that are at once sweeping in scope, and packed with minute details. This method allows him something of the discretion of a painter in composing his pictures, and allows an individual image to span several hours of time.

At the root of Liao's work lies an intensely humanist impulse: "The main elements that comprise the image are the physical details of the neighborhoods and human activities that exist within....I'm always interested in observing how these people both uphold their ethnic traditions and pursue the typical American Dream."

The Queens Musuem of Art will also present an exhibition of this work from March 12 through July 9.

Books and DVDs related to artists in this show

Location   Gallery Julie Saul Gallery Address 535 W 22nd St, 6th Fl New York (Chelsea) NY, 10011 United States Phone 212-627-2410 Fax 212-627-2411 Hours Tue-Sat 11-6 Nearby: All 10 galleries at 535 W 22nd St

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