John Back

Overview of Art work

Throughout my career of image making, the thread that stands out is a need to conceptualize my vision, to an abstract image from natural surroundings. More often than not it has been accomplished with changes in scale as in “Smaller Than Small and Bigger than Big.” Where tiny objects, made or used larger in prints.

In “Polagrams, arrangements of unrelated objects become painterly scenarios in which scale and proximity suggest motion and relationship. In “Polagrams, arrangements of unrelated objects become painterly scenarios in which scale and proximity suggest motion and relationship.

Later shape, tonality and focus are primary vehicles of abstraction in Landscapes & Compositions.

In Variations, scale, shape, tonality, hue, shade, tint and focus are all used to create an abstract image, with just a touch of reality, grounded in sharp focus.

John Back

Born in Wisconsin, USA 

MFA in Photography 1979 Rhode Island School of Design

BS Art 1977 University of Wisconsin, Madison

Artwork is available by Contacting :  Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, Il.(until 3-2016) and Michael Ingbar Gallery, New York, NY.     

Also:  jbackart@yahoo.com  

I have worked as a photographer and artist based in the New York City area since 1980. I currently live in Barryville, New York and maintain a photography studio in Greenwich Village, in what was previously a rehearsal space for Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground.

Photographic Portfolios include: "Fringe" 2016 to present; “Leaves and Sticks" 2011 to present ; “Graphos on the H-1” 2011; “Landscapes & Compositions” 2001-2008; “Polagrams“ 1990-1997; “Monuments” 1990-1996; “Smaller Than Small and Bigger Than Big” 1980-1987; “Consequence Series” 1977-1979; “Constructs”1976.

Solo Exhibitions: Perimeter Gallery, Chicago IL 1993; J. Walter Thompson, NYC 1987; Burlington College, Pemberton NJ 1982; The Madison Art Center, Madison WI 1977.    2-person Exhibition with Jan Tyniec  DVAA Narrowsburg, New York 2014.

Curated Exhibition at DVAA Narrowsburg, NY. 2020, postponed until 2021 “Tactile” included in the exhibition were Anthony Bioncoviso, John Back , Monte Coleman, Marilyn Fiala, Gary Jo Gardenhire, Glenn Goldberg, Carol Hepper, Nancy Manter, Mary McDonnell, Sally Rowe, Bonnie Rychlak and Melissa Zexter

Group Exhibitions: 2022 & 2023“Alternative Photography” Soho Photo Gallery, NY,NY ;2021 “Tactile” Group exhibition at DVAA Narrowsburg, NY. 2021,2020 Members Exhibition Center for Photographic Workshop, Woodstock,NY; CAS Livingston Manor,NY."Annual Exhibition 2018", "Summer Show" 2017,2016,2015"Winter Show" 2017,2016,2015;  DVAA Narrowsburg NY: "Night Watch" 2017“Art in the Sixes” 2023 to 2012, 2010; Tieton WA: “10x10x10” 2012; Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley PA: “Art on The Edge” 2011; Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, IL: “The Figure” 2008; ECCE, Barryville, NY: “Art with a View” 2007 to 2019; Mary Gearhart Gallery, NYC 1997; Solo Gallery NYC: “Crime” 1994; Falkirk Cultural Center, San Raphael CA: 1980 “Photocurrents”; Providence RI: RISD Photography Alumni Invitational” “MFA graduate Exhibition” 1979; Hartford CT: “Hartford and Area” 1979; University of California, Santa Barbara CA: “RISD At UCEN Gallery” 1978; Paine Art Center, Oskosh WI: “Portrait of America” 1975 (traveled with the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service 1975-80.)

Public Collections: The Center For Creative Photography; Tucson,AZ.: Bibliotechque Nationale; Paris, France George Eastman House; Rochester, NY. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; Madison, Wi. The Lodge at Woodloch; Hawley, Pa.

Publications: yourdailyphotograph.com at Duncan Miller Gallery 2023: Clothes Pin URL:http://eepurl.com/ivJY8M ;yourdailyphotograph.com at Duncan Miller Gallery 2015: "Can Opener" us5.campaign-archive2.com ; B Gallery DVAA on line "The Impact of Color" 2015; “10x10x10 Tieton 2012 Marquand Editions: “John Back Photography in B&W Silver Prints from 1980 to 2003” 2012, self published, Photographic Education Society; “Portfolio ’78 &’79” : “Constructs” 1976 self published

Donated Art works: Lackawaxen River Conservancy

Commercially, I photographed primarily Fine Art, Architecture and Design related objects and events; for clients like Pace MacGill, Pace prints, Chuck Close, Alfred Leslie, or Architects like Haines Lundberg Whaehler, Beyer Blinder Bell, and NXTdsgn.  Occasionally, I did still work for films like "True west" the first American playhouse on PBS with John Malkovich and Gary Senise or covered the NYC Marathon from the top of the Verranzano Narrows Bridge.

Average prices per print or artwork:

“Leaves & Sticks”  11.5 inch square on 19x13 matte surface archival pigment print in an edition of 10 $400. ea.  22 inch square on 24 inch matte surface archival pigment print in an edition of 4 $900. ea.  A larger version may be available.

“Fringe Tree” B&W 14 1/2 inch square on 20x16 matte surface gelatin silver paper in an edition of 10. $700. Ea.   A 24 & 40 inch archival pigment print may be available.

“Landscapes & Compositions”  

“Landscapes”  14x18 inch on 16x20 gelatin silver matte surface paper in an edition of 12. $600. ea.  Larger archival pigment available.

“Compositions”  14 inch square on 20x16 matte surface paper in an edition of 12. $600 ea. Larger archival pigment available.

“Polagrams”  10 x 8 inch unique Polaroid. $1200.ea. A larger archival pigment may be available.

“Monuments”  various editions from 1 to 4 on aluminum or wood panel $700. to $1800. Some framed.

“Smaller than Small and Bigger than Big”  18 x14 inch on 20 x 16 gelatin silver print in an edition of 20. $ 800.ea.  Larger archival pigment available.