The Overarching Idea
The overarching idea behind this exhibition revolves around a very broad interpretation of “home” through the eyes of eleven photographers in ten solo exhibitions and one video.

Statement
Photography for me is an act of distilling reality into my personal vision. A photograph speaks without words; it provides a medium in which to express myself. It allows me to fix place and time to my memories.

This has been a difficult year because of the pandemic, shelter- ing-in-place and not being able to socialize in person with my community. This has forced me to rethink how I go about making new work — its a time of transition. I am not sure where it will take me but I have enjoyed the challenge.

This past year having time I started making composites using im- ages from my archives and new images of botanicals created during my walks in Golden Gate park and my garden.

For some time, I have been interested in mantels and fireplaces and the symbolisms they represent. In all my travels, I have pho- tographed fireplaces and mantels throughout the world. Some cultures believe them to be a shrine, idols or images of deities were placed on the mantle, a fire was lit, prayers were offered and in some cultures offerings were made by burning possessions or trinkets of a departed person.

Today with the advent of central heating, fireplaces with mantels, photographs, flowers, and favorite ceramics now create some- thing more nostalgic than spiritual.

Bio
Judi Iranyi was born in Hungary (1943). After World War II, she and her family lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany for a few years be- fore emigrating to Venezuela, where she lived until she finished high school. She has also lived in Trinidad, Barbados, Germany, and Okinawa before moving to San Francisco in 1971.

Ms. Iranyi became interested in photography in the sixties. She earned a BA degree in Art/Photography from San Francisco State University. Later she received an MA degree in Visual Design from U.C. Berkeley; complet- ed a master!s level museum studies program at John F. Kennedy Universi- ty; and an MSW Degree in Social Work at San Francisco State University.

Ms. Iranyi has worked as a freelance photographer taking environmental portraits. She was also a staff photographer at the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley and worked at the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums.

She also worked as a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker until her retirement.

After retirement, Ms Iranyi dedicated her time to photography. She has been published; exhibited in group and solo shows across the United States and Europe; and self-published two books: “Arg-e-Bam,” about the ancient citadel in Iran, and “Remembering Michael,” a tribute to her son, who died of AIDS in 1984.

Her work includes portraits, travel photography, documentary, and street photography. Recently she has shifted her emphasis to botanicals and still life photography.

Three of her life passions are traveling, literature, and photography, which have broadened her view of the world.

View Judi Iranyi’s website.