Events

About the Artist

Robert Feist is a writer, photographer, and award-winning recording engineer with over forty years in the creative arts. Fragments of Light explores the tradition of ekphrasis, an ancient practice that pairs visual art with written expression. A Greek word, ekphrasis, is traditionally practiced as a written, often poetic description of a work of art. Here, on the gallery walls and in his accompanying book, Feist presents an expanded dialogue between the image and the word. Feist’s writing not only comments on his evocative photography but also grants the art an opportunity to reflect on the text. This creates an ongoing call and response between the two mediums. The work calls the viewer to this conversation, empowering all three—narrative, photography, and audience—to meditate on the themes of nature, fragility, and resilience that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Artist Statement

Many years ago, I worked at a recording studio in Hollywood as a sound designer and mixer for commercials, music videos, and trailers. I was fortunate to work on many high-profile projects for brands like Nike, Apple, and Lexus—but despite the prestige, the work felt soulless. I began to wonder if I should be doing something more meaningful with my life—like joining an environmental group and chaining myself to redwood trees, anything that might make a tangible difference. But after a significant amount of soul searching, I realized that— the best we can do is to do what we do best and offer it.

I began donating my services to charities, nonprofits, and environmental groups. One project that stands out is a documentary for the Red Cross titled Disease of the Wind, directed by James Keach, narrated by his brother Stacey Keach, and featuring Jane Seymour. The film aimed to raise awareness for a new Red Cross campaign. At the time, the leading cause of death among children in Africa was measles. A simple $2 vaccination could save a life. By doing what we do best and offering it, we can make a difference in the world and, at the same time, add meaning to our lives. This photo exhibition and the accompanying book contain threads of this concept. My hope is that you discover something in these images and pages that touches you or brings you joy.