Crossroads

Exhibition Dates: September 27, 2022 – January 21, 2023

Exhibition Statement

Crossroads brings together photography from Illinois State University students Megan Osborne, David Mecner, and Sarah Vock and their respective views of Illinois. All natives of Illinois, each photographer responded to what the concept of “home” means–or does not mean–to them. As travelers pass through the Central Illinois Regional Airport, whether they are flying out of Bloomington-Normal or arriving here on a business trip for the first time, these photos reveal deep personal stories as diverse as the Illinois landscape itself. The show intends to welcome viewers back home to central Illinois, inspire people to notice light and shadow, and celebrate the individuals that live here. Bloomington-Normal is a nexus of many numerous interstates, a mix of urban and rural, as well as home to families from all walks of life. Crossroads celebrates the diverse built environment, landschapes, and stories of the Prairie State by showcasing three exceptional perspectives. Megan Osborne explores the rural Illinois landscapes that make up her family history in My Midwestern Landscapes. Growing up near a ParkLands Foundation preserve and her grandfather’s farm, Osborne photographed these sites multiple times to document seasonal changes in the prairie landscape, as well as revisit memories where her mother took her hiking as a child. In his series, the Rays of Chicago, David Mecner engaged with light, shadows, and reflections amidst the glass, steel, and stone of “the City of Big Shoulders.” Navigating the busy city streets on his bicycle contradicts his quiet reflective images of Chicago’s distinctive architecture touching the clouds. Sarah Vock uses bright color and collage techniques to reinterpret her hometown of Bloomington-Normal, exploring her complex relationship with religion and identity. By adding in her own pieces of clothing, Vock takes ownership of the landscape and finds acceptance in these newly envisioned spaces.

Artist Statements

Megan Osborne

I wanted to capture the return of spring in the woods of Illinois. Through these photos, I hope to document regrowth and the decay of old life. As a child, I grew up across the street from the ParkLand Foundation nature preserves. Here, I would wander the woods of central Illinois with my mother. These moments left a lasting impression on me and because of this, I will forever cherish the landscapes of the Midwest. My Midwestern Landscape continues to my grandpa’s farm in Southern Illinois. The photos taken here show my favorite areas of his farm and the beauty of his land.

David Mecner

My work explores the magnificent architecture of Chicago, and how light and shadow shape the city. During the shooting process, I biked through the whole city exploring more of what the city itself has to offer and finding specific areas to shoot. An important technique that I have used throughout shooting in the heart of the city is finding light and shadow scattered around on the monumental buildings along with the streets of Chicago. I was drawn to how much the rays of sunshine brought the architectural details of the city to life. I have been influenced by longtime Chicagoan and documentary photographer Bob Thall. Seeing all the work he has done over the years has made me think more about what's behind the city of Chicago besides all the huge amounts of people. As a photographer, a Chicagoan, and an Illinois State University student, I bring my own sensibilities of perspective encompassing the gothic and robust architecture that makes Chicago “The City of Big Shoulders.”

Sarah Vock

In Hypocritical, I consider the connection between the way I express myself through clothing and the way that my Catholic upbringing impacted my self-expression. I always felt out of place in my small rural town and Catholic church. They never truly felt like places of love and acceptance, as they preached. As I got older, I saw these places from a larger or more generalized view, as places that fuel bigotry and close-mindedness. As a creative person, I found myself experimenting with clothing that is bold and fun. Upon retrospection, I have found that despite my desire to embrace my difference, I have held on to my complex relationship with these places of worship. The comfort of where I grew up mixed with the distaste for the ways in which they have contributed to my struggles with self-acceptance. Catholicism and rural living impact the way in which I view the world and my morals. While the morals of my childhood are not my current beliefs, there are aspects that I still value and hold a nostalgic feeling. I use bright colors and collaging to remove the power that these sites have over me. The collaging of pieces of my clothing into places of personal contradiction creates an outlet to criticize. Color is my way of showing personality and queerness. I was previously afraid of using color in my work and with my clothing. I didn’t want to direct attention to myself. It was very connected to my relationship with myself. Since that time, I have come to accept myself more. Color to me is fearless. It is not afraid of being itself because that’s all it can be. In this work, I created spaces that have the comfort of familiarity while also being unapologetically me.