Three Ways Home
The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
Sept 11 - Oct 25 2026
Member Preview
Fri, Sept 11 @ 6:30
Public Opening / Gallery Talk
Sat, Sept 12 @ 1:30
Exhibition Statement from Wayne Gudmundson
"Sarah Christianson says goodbye to four generations on a family farm; Chris Franz looks back to his formative years in the town of his childhood; and Lewis Ableidinger lives in the present in an open space among a population that is dwindling-this is the work you'll be seeing as you visually travel with Sarah, Chris, and Lewis as they consider their way home.
"Sarah Christianson says goodbye to four generations on a family farm; Chris Franz looks back to his formative years in the town of his childhood; and Lewis Ableidinger lives in the present in an open space among a population that is dwindling-this is the work you'll be seeing as you visually travel with Sarah, Chris, and Lewis as they consider their way home.
Through their introductory photographs, they offer a starting point for your journey.
Sarah presents the iconic farm structure, the regal Dutch style barn, set so comfortably under a procession of fluffy, pristine clouds that, in part, soften the emotional pain of loss.
The jagged stark tree centered in the frame, sits like father time, partially shielding Chris with the passage of time from the place and name of his home. The car leaving may well belong to Chris.
The dusk light in Lewis's image signals the end of one day and one's days, yet a glimmer of light shines from the elevator suggesting the presence of life and hope within that place.
All three of these fine photographers generate their own symbols and metaphors to illuminate their stories of home."