Assistant professor’s photography exhibited at CAC

The photography of Michael Sherwin, assistant professor of Photography and Intermedia in the division of Arts and Design, will be showcased in his exhibit in the Creative Arts Center today at 5 p.m.

Sherwin received his master's degree in Fine Arts in Photography at the University of Oregon and has been the instructor of multiple photography courses throughout the United States.

He has been awarded grants and awards for his work and has had exhibitions in a number of different schools throughout the country.

Each semester, Sherwin teaches three photography courses.

He also leads a summer workshop every year, in which he takes students from WVU and the regional area to Jackson Hole, Wyo., for a 10-day photography workshop.

Sherwin said he doesn't specialize in one specific style of photography, but he would classify most of his work as "landscape genre."

"My art derives from nature observations taken from a science and popular culture angle," Sherwin said. "My work is all about being more aware of the environment and about how everything in life is interconnected."

"I want people to stop and appreciate things from the micro to the macro in daily events," Sherwin said.

With his experience as a photographer and a teacher, he notes that one person can't say what makes a good photo.

"A good photograph is all relative. It depends on who's looking at it and who's judging it," Sherwin said. "The eye of photography lives inside everyone's eyes. Each person has a view on what photography is good and what photography is bad."

The theme of the exhibit is "investigation and a scientific inquiry."

Sherwin derives influences for his photography from learning about simple concepts of the trade and from personal experiences with his children.

"I have a very curious 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, and the way they look at the world is influential to me and my photography" Sherwin said. "Most of my work is premeditated, and I'm more concerned with concepts and ideas than I am a pretty picture."

Although Sherwin admits to being more interested in the technicality of photography, he believes the latest technology isn't necessary in creating a good photo.

"Photography isn't all about technique and the equipment you use," Sherwin said. "You don't need those things to make an interesting image."

The collection will consist of photos taken within the past year, including a 24-foot wide installment piece titled "Minor Planets," compiled of 16 smaller photos of rocks Sherwin and his wife have collected from the past 15 years.

The exhibit will run through Oct. 8 in the Paul Mesaros Gallery, located in Bloch Learning and Performance Hall.

The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.