Ronald Cowie

b. 1970, American
Bio Statements

Leaving Babylon

Ronald Cowie: The Trick Of Silence, 2009

Ronald Cowie: We Kept Going. That Was The Way.

Ronald Cowie: When It's My Time, Come Pick Me Up.

Ronald Cowie: Where There Is No Boat, I Will Put A Boat

Ronald Cowie: My Heart And Soul, They Are Free.

Ronald Cowie: To Which A Broken Heart Always Replies "Yes."

Ronald Cowie: Ah Yes, It's Like That Too.

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Ronald Cowie Bio

Chronology
1970	Born

1989	Accepted a position as dishwasher and delivery boy at The Proud Rooster Restaurant in Cincinnati.

1992	Photo Editor, The News Record University of Cincinati

1998	Met Keith Carter and he called me "eccentric".

2000	I got married to Lisa Garner.

2000	Met John Bennette at Fotofest in Houston. Told me I needed to decide what kind of photographer I wanted to be: an artist or a commercial photographer

2001	Accepted a teaching position at The New England School of Photography. Have been teaching alternative processes ever since.

2009	Took a workshop on the wet plate collodion process with France Scully Osterman.

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Awards
2010	SOHO Photo Gallery Juried Show Second Place (Lisa's Hat), New York City

2006	Gallery Hygenic Juried Show Honorable Mention, New London

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Solo Exhibitions
2014	Babylon, Ainslie Arts Center, Washington DC

2014	Sea And Land, Jessica Hagen Gallery, Newport RI

2013	Perimeter Of Babylon, Alibi Fine Art, Chicago IL

2010	Inventory, University Of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island

2008	Maldeen, Wolff Gallery, Toledo, OH

2003	Pageant, The Revolving Museum, Lowell, MA

2002	Flashes Grill, Boston

2001	Francesca's Cafe, Boston, MA

2000	New England School of Photography, Boston, MA

1996	Cafe Elite, Cincinnati

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Group Exhibitions
2014	Faculty Exhibition, Boston Flash Forward, Boston, MA

2014	21st Century Monochrome, Barrington Center For The Arts, Peabody, MA

2014	Objects and Small Prints, Photoeye Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2013	The Doors of Perception, Photo Resource Center, Boston, MA

2013	Alternative Processes, Panopticon Gallery, Boston

2013	Alternative Processes, New Orleans Photo Alliance, New Orleans, LA

2011	Onward 2011, Project Basho, Philly, PA

2010	Alternative Processes, SOHO Photo Gallery, New York City

2010	Alternatives (Unconventional and Uncommon Practices), Minneapolis Photo Center, Minneapolis Photo Center

2008	Feast for The Eyes, Central Gallery, Old Sayrook CT

2007	Works on Paper, Four Starr Frame Shop, Stonington, CT

2006	Juried Show, Gallery Hygenic, New London, CT

2005	Wolff Gallery, Toledo, OH

2004	Boundries to Bridges, Revolving Museum, Lowell, MA

2000	Open Studio Group show, Fort Point Channel, Boston, MA

1999	Recent Aquisitions, Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

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Collections

Boston Public Library, Boston, MA

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Education
1988 - 1995	University of Cincinnati, BS Anthropology and Photojournalism
	Studied with Jon Hughes
1996 - 1998	New England School of Photography, Boston, Certificate
	Studied with Nick Johnson and Bruno Debas
1999 - 2000	Platinum Printing (Private Study)

2004	Scully and Osterman Collodian Workshop
	Studied with France Scully Osterman and Mark Osterman
2012 - 2012	George Eastman House, Albumen Printing
	Studied with Mark Osterman
2013 - 2013	George Eastman House, Collodion Chloride POP
	Studied with Mark Osterman

Favorite Photography Books

Ghosts In The Landscape., Craig Barber, (photo-eye Cat# ZC732)

Ronald Cowie Statement

Artist Statement
My work is about simple truths. I view the world from a place of hope, faith, and love.

Leaving Babylon was born from the exhaustion of an anxious life and the successful casting out of murmuring demons. I began a journey from the devil’s territory to a place of acknowledgement and acceptance. The first step began with practicing a life of faith was better than one based on the ego and intellect.

I made the images in Leaving Babylon to understand the question of how to live with faith and fear. Leaving Babylon is the visual record of a landscape that exists inside and among us. Leaving Babylon is about saying “yes” to darkness, “yes” to the unknown; “Yes” to love, “yes” to sorrow, and “yes” to that ultimate reality which is God’s kingdom.

Process Statement
I used a Deardorff 8x10 inch view camera with a variety of lenses and filters. I prefer the view camera because it allows tremendous control in perspective and focus. I can correct for any and all distortions or, in the case of this work, intentionally shift the field of view to create a more personal interpretation.

The lenses I used ranged from a Nikon 210mm (wide angle) to a 300mm Heliar (standard portrait lens). Each lens has its own “personality” and was used to create the desired mood. All focus manipulations were made “in-camera.”

My primary film was Efke 25; I also used Ilford FP-4. As a general rule, I wanted to use the slowest film possible to capture the greatest detail.

After the film was exposed and developed (in either Pyro PMK or XTOL), hi-resolution drum scans were made of each sheet of film. Creating a digital file of each image allows me to preserve the original film negative from the potential damage inherent in the platinum printing process. It also allows me to interpret the images as I “saw” them during the moment of exposure. I did any and all manipulations of tone and contrast using Photoshop. I then created a new negative suitable for the platinum printing process.

The platinum printing process involves creating an emulsion of platinum and palladium metal salts, mixed with a light sensitive iron-based solution. This solution is hand coated onto specially made paper. I then place the negative in direct contact with the paper and expose it using high intensity ultra violet light.

The printed image is then developed, cleared, and rinsed. At that point, the image is dried and inspected for proper exposure and image quality. If it “passes” inspection, the print is signed, dated and given an appropriate edition number.

Framing is done following strict archival procedures. I’ve consulted with museum curators and use materials that preserve the integrity of the finished print for future generations to enjoy.

Ronald Cowie Books
Available from photo-eye

Favorite Monographs:

Ghosts In The Landscape., Craig Barber, (photo-eye Cat# ZC732)