-
- Menemsha Hills Chilmark
-
- Cedar Tree Neck I West Tisbury
-
- Great Rock Bight Chilmark
-
- Cedar Tree Neck II West Tisbury
-
- Cedar Tree Neck III West Tisbury
-
- Cedar Tree Neck IV West Tisbury
-
- State Forest I West Tisbury
-
- State Forest II West Tisbury
-
- Peaked Hill Chilmark
Matthew Kaufman
Barren Riches
Meandering through a New England meadow or forest during the summer, one may be struck by the inherent beauty of the burgeoning trees and their foliage, the light flickering through the leaves reflecting on the ground.
In the winter, the opulence of the summer has dissipated and the relationship of the bereft trees to their environment is revealed. The individual trees can be discovered in isolation. One may note the variation in size and shape, curvature of the branches, height of individual trees, texture and variegation of the bark, and any damage endured over time. The interrelationships of individual tree placement on the terrain and mingling amongst the different species all come to the fore.
During the 16 months of the pandemic in the US, I lived on Martha’s Vineyard, spending most of my cold weather outdoor time exploring various nature reserves and trails. I was awed by the heterogeneous topography of the island with the array of unadorned individual trees, shapes and placement, usually hidden from view, taking center stage in the visual space.
Artist Bio
Matt Kaufman has had a strong interest in nature from his role as a photographer and as a traveler throughout the world. He first developed an interest in photography during a long, multifaceted career as a hematologist/oncologist in Cambridge, MA. His career abruptly ended with the development of a disabling illness followed by personal tragedy with the death of his wife and parents. He found refuge in travel and photography.
He has studied at the New England School of Photography, and the Griffin Museum. He has exhibited at the Griffin Museum in the Atelier Program. He has also traveled with the Nature Workshop on multiple trips throughout the world and was awarded First Prize in the Workshop’s 2019 Photo Contest.
During the pandemic, along with his family, he sequestered on Martha’s Vineyard, where he has had a home for over twenty years. The natural beauty of this amazing location has provided a foundation for reflection and healing.