Often, the nature writers featured in photographer exhibition sought to draw attention to nature’s beauty and scope while calling for its preservation with their words — words Clark accompanies with the images of the very land that inspired them.The prominent American naturalists, conservationists, and environmentalists of “Nature’s Writers: Mentored by the Land,” an upcoming show at the Cyrus M. Running Gallery, all celebrated the earth in their work.
Often, the nature writers featured in photographer exhibition sought to draw attention to nature’s beauty and scope while calling for its preservation with their words — words Clark accompanies with the images of the very land that inspired them.
Clark, a professor of art/photography at , began working on the “Nature’s Writers” project in 2019, publishing it as a book in 2024. It features dozens of authors, including Rachel Carson, Theodore Roosevelt, and John Muir, with a vast photographic scope of its own, showing desert expanses, hidden forests, and seemingly infinite skies.
“I believe this project is important because it helps lay a foundation for us, as readers and individuals who care about the environment, to better understand the work of each of these writers,” Clark said.
To identify the places important to the writers he featured, read at least two books written by each. He worked with the contemporary writers to identify places important to them and sought the assistance of family members and scholars for information about the historical authors.
“The use of the photographic medium with this project allows the viewer to make visual connections with these writers and their work, helping them to better understand their background, knowledge of their subject matter, and love for their places,” he said. “The use of photography allowed me to cover greater ground in a shorter amount of time than other artistic mediums would have offered. Photography, in its immediacy and seeming truthfulness, is the perfect medium for this project.”
has been teaching photography for more than 30 years and has been making images for more than 40. The majority of his work focuses on environmental and landscape issues. He is also interested in the relationships of people in their environment and how these relationships affect culture. He has exhibited his work throughout the United States and internationally, and currently lives in Lake Park, Minnesota.
“Nature’s Writers” will be at the Running Gallery Monday, Aug. 25, through Tuesday, Sept. 23, with a public reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and artist’s remarks at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
The gallery begins in the skyway that connects the Olin Art and Communications Center with the second floor of the Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre building at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ, Moorhead. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
