George O Jackson de LLano
SEÑORES DE LA LUZ
This website, featuring my photography of imaginary art influences from the last century found in refractive abundance in crinkled-up, soft-plastic commercially available URSU9 water bottles, discovers and introduces a new concept in the creation of abstract expression in that the compositions are of REFRACTION, a basically ignored phenomenon in photography and contemporary art, thus making it UNIQUE to both. Moreover, each portrait represents what I imagine to be a 20th-century art influence that inspired and taught me how to SEE, coming to participate in my exploration of them in appreciation of my knowing they exist.
Portraiture
My studio, built from the unexpected beauty of crinkled soft plastic Spanish URSU9 water bottles on a mirror in front of an east window, becomes a stage each sunny morning. It is then that the spirits arrive, yearning to be seen and celebrated. They revel in my recognition, eager to collaborate in an exploration of light and color. Through the lens of my camera, they whisper stories of emotion and personality to those who pause to truly listen.
These spirits, imbued with the essence of artistic masters like Alejandro Colunga and Bob Bilyeu Camblin, echo the vibrant energy of Masson, Tamayo, and countless others. Their presence, a symphony of hues, evokes the spirit of dance masks and ancient rituals, a legacy from my eleven-year immersion in the heart of Mexican indigenous festivals.
Captured by the uncompromising eye of a 45-megapixel Nikon D850, shot at maximum size and resolution, their portraits emerge as these original raw, unfiltered visions. These images, testaments to the power of the moment, are presented in their purest form, ready to merge with the cutting edge of 21st-century art technology.
Thaumaturgy
My process, which I call 'thaumaturgy,' involves digital manipulation of the original portrait which is shot 12 times, from light to dark separated by manual bracketing of 1/3 stop. I alternately horizontally flip the image thereby mirroring it on itself, creating a kaleidoscopic effect. This unlocks the inherent potential of the colors and light, allowing them to interact in unexpected ways and reveal hidden depths. The result is a spontaneous emergence of extraordinary imagery, almost as if the artwork itself is guiding the process. A final touch of enhancement with Apple Photos brings these newfound visions into sharper focus.
About
George O. Jackson de LLano (born October 2, 1941) is an American photographer best known for his 11-year documentation of the seasonal religious festivals of the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Born in Houston, Texas, but raised on the border, Jackson has deep ties to Mexico. His mother's family is Mexican, and he has spent much time in Mexico throughout his life. This immersion in Mexican culture significantly influenced his photography.
Beyond his documentary work, Jackson also explores abstract photography. He uses sunlight, soft-plastic water bottles, crystals, Easter egg dyes, and everyday objects to create imaginative and expressive works, particularly portraiture, which blends abstraction with elements of his ethnographic work.
Key Photographic Work:
The Essence of Mexico Project: This was Jackson's main photographic endeavor, conducted from 1990 to 2001. He captured over 75,000 color images of traditional rites and ceremonies from over 60 different indigenous groups in Mexico. This extensive collection is now housed at the University of Texas at Austin's Benson Collection of Latin American Art. It is shared with the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art at San Antonio Museum of Art.
After Essence of Mexico Project, a selection of which can be appreciated here, earned him significant exhibitions at important museums internationally,
including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., and the
Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico. D.F., followed by selected Mexican Cultural Institutes around the world.
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Website: You can explore his work and learn more about him on his website: https://www.georgeojacksondellano.com/
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Saatchi Art: Some of his photography is available for purchase through Saatchi Art: https://www.saatchiart.com/gojackson
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Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_O._Jackson_Jr.
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The Essence of Mexico Project: http://www.thessenceofmexicoproject.org/
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Corazon Fusilado: http://gojjr.us
