312 8th St, Oakland CA
December 6, 2024 through January 19, 2025
Nestled in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown, the East Bay Photo Collective (EBPCO) gallery presents Momentum, a group show curated by Malcolm Wallace. On display through January 19th, this exhibition features the work of 20 photographers whose images explore the theme of momentum—that elusive force of movement, change, and transformation.
The show is a dynamic reflection on how momentum manifests in both the natural world and human experience. As the artists write in their collective statement, “Momentum is a journey—physical, emotional, and intellectual—that exists in time and space. It’s about pushing forward, the sense of being propelled, and the inevitability of what comes next.” This sentiment resonates throughout the exhibition, which spans a variety of styles, from stark black-and-white photography to vibrantly saturated, experimental inkjet prints.
Kelly Sullivan and Eric Weiss, both photographers and instructors at EBPCO, greeted visitors with a warm welcome and shared their enthusiasm for the collective's mission. "Everyone seems to like one another. It’s really nice like that," Weiss said with a smile. Their passion for fostering a supportive environment is palpable in the show, where the theme of momentum seems to pulse through each image.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is Eric Weiss' Lady Hennessy Brown (pictured at top), showing a woman grinning mischievously with a yellow lighter between her teeth as she sprays milk from her breasts. The drops of liquid hang suspended in space, giving the image a dreamlike quality. Weiss' subject is fierce and divine, embodying a raw, unapologetic femininity that seems to defy gravity itself. It’s a photograph that invites both awe and contemplation about the forces—both internal and external—that propel us forward in life.
John Templeton’s Two Tundra Wolves also draws the viewer into a powerful confrontation. The wolves are locked in a struggle for dominance, their teeth bared in a primal display of strength. The contrast between the wolves' light and dark fur calls to mind the anthropomorphic tension between opposing forces, the sides of light and dark forever called on to fight and conquer persisting now more than ever.
In contrast to these fierce depictions of struggle, Claire Maen’s Up presents a quieter moment of resistance. In this striking black-and-white image, a female figure ascends a flight of concrete steps. The curves of her body are the only soft, non-linear elements against the harsh, industrial geometry of the urban landscape. Her posture exudes both resilience and vulnerability, as if she is caught in a delicate balance between submission to the weight of the environment and the quiet determination to overcome it.
Kim Campisano’s Time Travel No. 1 explores the passage of time itself. The photograph captures a woman in mid-motion, transitioning rapidly from youth to old age. The elegant swirl of gray hair moving past her youthful form suggests not just the passage of time, but the inevitable momentum of life itself. The image speaks to the forces beyond our control—the rush of aging, the pull of time—and the way we experience that momentum in our own bodies.
Ashim Hajra’s Bubbles Be Trickin’ takes a more direct approach to the theme. The image, a black-and-white shot of a man dressed in white, seems suspended in space at night. His form is both falling and flying, caught in a delicate balance between inertia and movement. In this piece, Hajra directly engages with the concept of momentum as something that exists in multiple states.
The Momentum exhibition at EBPCO is a thoughtful, well-curated exploration of what it means to move, to be moved, and to propel oneself forward. Each photographer brings their own interpretation of the theme, creating a rich and varied experience for the viewer. The show demonstrates not only technical mastery but also an intuitive understanding of how images can capture the essence of change. Whether through the tension of wolves locked in battle or the quiet insistence of a woman navigating an urban landscape, Momentum offers a powerful reflection on the forces that shape our lives.
For those seeking to engage with the pulse of East Bay photography, Momentum is a must-see. Whether you’re an art lover or simply looking for a meaningful way to experience the art of the East Bay, this exhibition will leave you with much to contemplate.
Learn more about EBPCO and the classes they offer here.
