About

Mary West Quin is driven by questions of meaning, purpose and perception, as well as seeing the subtlety within human existence—the sacred within the mundane.  
She aspires to represent a deeper, more intuitive way of seeing. Her work explores a paradox of photography by rendering fleeting ideas and feelings into fixed images.

Drawing on concepts from anthropology, philosophy and spirituality, She explores the space between camera and subject – an area that often mirrors the spaces within and between people. 

Quin utilizes a range of historic photographic equipment and processes in order to stay grounded in the historical roots and questions inherent in photography—concerns of permanence, objectivity and perception. In some instances, using an 8x10 view camera, She creates large negatives to produce platinum palladium contact prints. And at other times uses found objects and individuals to create large-scale cyanotypes. Most recently, in an effort to further explore the boundary of expression with light sensitive chemistry she has begun drawing with photographic chemistry.

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Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in many collections including the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, AZ. She’s most recently exhibited at The Lionheart Gallery in Pound Ridge, NY; Nadine Blake, New Orleans, LA; and SE Center For Photography, Greenville, SC.

Quin has a BS in Anthropology from Millsaps College, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MFA in Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Savannah College of Art and Design.  Savannah, GA.  MFA, Photography.  2011

University of Southern Mississippi.  Hattiesburg, MS.  MA, Philosophy.  2004

Millsaps College.  Jackson, MS.  BS, Anthropology.  1999.  

Selected Exhibitions

Nadine Blake, 2017

Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Trois Gallery. Atlanta, GA. Fall 2019. Traveled to Savannah, GA, Winter 2020.

Into the Field. Nadine Blake. New Orleans, LA. Winter 2019/20.

The Qualities of Light: The Story Of A Pioneering New York City Photography Gallery. Center for Creative Photography. Fall 2019

Light Sensitive.  Art Intersection.  Gilbert, AZ.  Spring 2018.

Mariposa.  Nadine Blake.  New Orleans, LA. Solo.  Winter 2017/18

Summer Show. Lionheart Gallery. Pound Ridge, NY. Summer 2017

From Southern America to the South of France.   Lionheart Gallery.  Pound Ridge, NY.  Solo.  Summer 2016

Light Sensitive.  Art Intersection.  Gilbert, AZ.  Spring 2014.

Alternative Processes.  SohoPhoto.  New York, New York.  Group Exhibition.  Fall 2013.

Slow Exposures.  Pike County, GA.  Group Exhibition.  Fall 2013.

Another Way of Seeing. New Orleans Photo Alliance.  New Orleans, LA.  Group Exhibition, April 2013.

Light.  New Orleans Photo Alliance.  New Orleans, LA.  Group Exhibition, February 2012.

Alternative Realities.  Photoplace Gallery.  Middlebury, VT.  Group Exhibition, August 2012.

Currents. New Orleans Photo Alliance.  New Orleans, LA, 2011.

Liminal.  Oglethorpe Gallery.  Savannah, GA.  Solo Exhibition, May 2011.

Silver and Ink.  Savannah, GA.  Group Exhibition, April 2011.

Poetry of Shadows.  Photoplace Gallery.  Middlebury, VT.  Group Exhibition, August 2011.

Noir.  New Orleans Photo Alliance.  New Orleans, LA.  Group Exhibition, October 2011.

Publications

Record Review, 2016

Alternative Realities, 2012

The Poetry of Shadows, 2011.

Again:  Reflections and Photography, 2011.

SCAD Silver & Ink, 2011.