Steven Katzman is a self-taught photographer who has combined, over the yea
Barbara Banks, 2016, Sarasota, FLrs his long-time interest in political science with his photographic journey. Although he does not work from anyone's theories on the appropriate direction for contemporary art, most of his photographs exemplify the post-modernist notion that to be relevant to the final quarter of the 20th century, art needs to be political in nature. Katzman is, however, an artist, not a propagandist. Consequently, his images are not overtly political: the viewer must take time to think about each photograph to arrive at its ultimate message. Like his forerunners, Jacob Riis, Lewis Hine, and Dorthea Lange, Katzman presents beautifully crafted, matter-of-fact images of his subjects, but his work goes beyond the parameters of photojournalism. The boxers, prisoners and cremation images deal in subtleties that are ultimately political. In later series he manipulated his subject matter to create metaphors. These photographs can be particularly disturbing, sometimes shocking. But Katzman's goal is never to merely shock, rather, he wants the viewer to think about the image and answer these specific questions in his or her mind: Who is the person in the photograph? What is (or was, in the case of the death images) their life like? How do you feel about the issues being raised? Katzman has already asked these questions of himself. He arrived at his answers through the direct experience of being up close and personal with his subject no matter how emotionally difficult it was for him. Through photography, Katzman attempts to share his experiences with the viewer. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay cum laude (Political Science) in 1973, Mr. Katzman established Steven Katzman Photography, LLC in 1990. He has received numerous awards in photography including: a three-year Kodak Professional Photography Division Corporate Grant, Polaroid Corporation Artist Grant, and an Ilford Corporate Grant. Mr. Katzman has exhibited his photographs in numerous galleries and museums in the United States and internationally.His first book, The Face of Forgiveness, Salvation and Redemption, powerHouse books was featured in the New York Times Book Review, as well as receiving an Award of Merit from the New York Art Directors Guild. Following the book’s publication, Mr. Katzman was interviewed on CNN.PBS has documented A Portrait of Newtown, an African American community in Sarasota, FL. Mr. Katzman has been on the faculty at the Ringling College of Art and Design as an adjunct professor from 2003—2004 and 2006-2007 where he developed the advanced digital imaging syllabus. Between 2007-2008, Katzman established the Bogen Café, teaching master classes at universities and art schools across the United States, sponsored by Adobe, HP, Hahnemuhle, Elinchrom, Manfrotto, Wacom, and Bogen. He has been sponsored by Lexjet since 2004. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Wendy and their dog; Patti Patterson.
Artist Statement
“All of my work is born from the personal narrative, but not necessarily realized at the time of conception. There is an innocence that remains, and the excitement of discovery that drives this personal and creative process. The biographical sketch becomes more apparent after a deeper query of self, and this interaction between subjective and objective narratives.To say that these events are planned would be a violation of the creative process, misleading artist, the viewer, and their participation with the photographic dialogue. And yet, the realization of self-discovery continues to be anticipated with each moment that is captured, however painful the journey might reveal.The visual outcome, the organic development leading to success or failure is a reaffirmation of self, and that my voice being strong or feeble, is paramount to the creative growth that occurs on my personal journey along with those participating in this discourse.” June 1, 2018