Aug 23, 2017
One of Lauren Lohman’s photos created without the use of a camera. Her work will be exhibited Aug. 28 to Sept. 28 in the COM Fine Arts Building.
One of Lauren Lohman’s photos created without the use of a camera. Her work will be exhibited Aug. 28 to Sept. 28 in the COM Fine Arts Building.

Photos created without a camera take center stage in Lauren Lohman’s exhibit at College of the Mainland Aug. 28 to Sept. 28 in the COM Fine Arts Building.

“There is no camera and no negative involved in this image-making process. I exposed the photo paper directly to light,” explained Lohman.

The pieces are made from silver gelatin paper, which is made when silver salts are suspended in gelatin to cover the paper. The image is created when a light strikes silver salts and darkens them. Each photo is an original because there is no negative. 

The work, "Descendants," is centered around the themes of family, lineage, and identifying a place in both, said Lohman.

Lohman, of Houston, has a background in traditional and historical printing processes as well as digital media and prints. Her work ranges from abstract darkroom photography to cellular digital prints. She is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in photography and digital media at the University of Houston.

Committed to making contemporary artwork accessible, the COM Art Gallery is free and open to the public. Exhibits are created and coordinated with speakers and other events to promote the area's richly diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building and open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., one hour before COM Community Theatre performances and by appointment.

Learn more at www.com.edu/art-gallery or call 409-933-8348.