Griffin Museum of Photography

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Illuminating the Archive
Janice Koskey

October 19 – December 10, 2023

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  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Janice Koskey
  • © Janice Koskey
  • @ Arthur Griffin
  • © Janice Koskey

Illuminating the archives of Arthur Griffin

I was delighted to have been invited by Crista Dix to study the archives of Arthur Griffin, choose works from among his nautical photographs, and match them to my own.

To begin this process, I repeatedly scrolled through Mr Griffin’s varied array of photographs of beach, wharf, and waterfront. As I perused these images, certain ones would jump out at me as if there were some thing familiar about them that connected his vision to mine. 

One image that I was particularly drawn to was a young child looking out over the beach from the shore. It reminded me of my childhood years spent on Lynn beach and how much the ocean is a part of me. As it turned out, that image was made by Arthur’s wife, Claire Griffin. I feel that it holds the heart of a mother within it.  

Once I had chosen my six images, I kept each one in mind while I took a stroll through my own shoreline archives. From there it was easy to zero in on one or two of my images that seemed to dance with theirs. I truly enjoyed comparing and contrasting my subtle and vibrant-colored, contemporary digital photos with the monochromatic photos made in the dark room of the past. 

During this process I learned that though cameras and methods of development may have changed, each photograph produced then and now contains beneath the surface a deep love and appreciation for the ocean as well as the moods and gestures of the vessels and humans depicted nearby. These feelings will be held permanently in the souls of the photographers as well as within each photograph we have made. 

I hope you enjoy the connections that link past and present in this exhibit and share our gratitude for Arthur Griffin, founder of the Griffin Museum of Photography. 

About Janice Koskey

Janice Koskey has lived a lifetime with a camera close at hand. She was given her first Brownie as a child, worked in a dark room in college, and during her long career in the Lynn Public Schools utilized photography in her classroom before taking up digital photography upon her retirement in 2008. More recently she has focused her study on what lies behind the photograph, the connection between individuals and their art. 

Though she has attended dozens of photographic workshops and classes, Janice’s favorite source of learning and encouragement comes from the Greater Lynn Photographic Association where she received a NECCC service award has led an Artistic Vision group. 

Janice has published articles in the Journal of the Photographic Society of America on contemplative and travel photography and through PSA she makes presentations in person locally and via Zoom around the country and the world. 

As a member of the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Galleries at Lynn Arts, Marblehead Arts Association, and Rockport Arts Association and Museum, Janice exhibits her work regularly, has won various awards, and her photographs have found their place in many comfortable homes. 

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