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  current exhibits 

bay area photographer, pat monaco, exhibits "the blues ain't nothin'..." faces and places of the blues in oakland, mississippi, texas and chicago

--  Berkeley’s Picturish Gallery exhibits
The Blues Ain't Nothin'...

  May 14, 2012 

news facts
 

n  Event location: Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth Street, Berkeley, California USA 94710

n  Venue hours: Monday – Friday, 9am to 6pm; Saturday 10:30 am to 2:30 pm; closed Sundays

n  Medium: Black and white silver gelatin photographs

n  Exhibit dates: June 9, 2012 through August 18, 2012

n  Artist’s Reception: Saturday, June 16, 2012     Time: 6 to 8 pm

As a photographer, Pat Monaco explores the Blues, the people, and the places associated with the Blues, both emotionally and subjectively through the medium of documentary photography. Her relationship with the Blues began well before she ever picked up a camera. She listened to the Blues in high school, bought records at Reeds Records in Oakland and listened to KWBR the local R&B radio station. Concerts in the Bay Area was (and still is) a great way to get exposed to the Blues greats. Pat saw Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, BB King and many more. When Monaco began to study photography seriously she chose the Blues as her subject. Traveling Highway 61 from Mississippi to Chicago and West Oakland from Eli's Mile High Club to Deluxe Inn she expanded her passion for the Blues as she came to know the community and the dynamic scene of the 1970s and 1980s.

"Documentary photography," says Monaco, "is a means to raise awareness. It's a format for understanding people and culture." Pat Monaco's silver gelatin photographs bring the viewer into an exciting, exotic (yet somehow familiar) world, framing moments, faces and places in an intimate bond of involvement. Shot on film and printed in silver gelatin, this work is also a book, The Blues Ain't Nothin'.... The framed photographs and unframed pigment ink reproductions and the book are all available for sale. Ten percent of the sale of these works will be donated as a benefit for the Oakland Blues Walk of Fame.

Please contact Andrea McLaughlin to arrange an interview and/or for additional images.

about the photolab gallery             

The Photolab Gallery is a not for profit gallery space for photographers to showcase and sell their work.  The Gallery provides the San Francisco Bay Area with an opportunity to expand its exposure to current excellent photographic work and local artists and to buy directly from the artists.

The Photolab Gallery has shown over 150 exhibits since 1991, featuring the work of over 140 established and emerging photographers including several artists who have been invited to show more than once.

The Gallery is open to the public, accessible and free of charge. Daily hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10:30 to 2:30. The public is invited to attend the artist’s reception on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 6 to 8pm. Light refreshments will be served.

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