Press Release

The wait has finally ended for lovers of photography! It has been a long time since Soka Art hosted a solo photography / videography exhibition - four years since the 10 Years in Europe exhibition by Simon Chang.  Want to learn more about photo-archeology?  Now, during the summer of 2017, Soka Art once again welcomes back British photography artist, Daniel Eskenazi, for his solo exhibition, TIME / LIGHT.  Eskenazi is adept at taking a minimalist approach to composition. Every photo in the TIME / LIGHT exhibition serves as an observational study in which every detail is dissected and revealed layer after layer. The depth of his observations is what makes the works featured in TIME /LIGHT so rich and diverse.

A Photographic Rhythm Enriched by a Humanistic Perspective

Daniel Eskenazi is a unique photography artist. Having been raised in a family that operates a world-renowned antique business, he learned photography techniques through self-study. Unlike the artistic progression of the western counterculture movement, Eskenazi’s work can be viewed as a type of humanistic “science” built upon the self-awareness of the individual, while emphasizing a detailed analysis of personal qualities. Composed of light and shadow, his works freeze time, sometimes even without having any real subjects. Using his camera, he sketches the subject using rays of light before deciding whether to further highlight certain details. Naturally available or operable sources of light work in correspondence together. His works continuously evolve along with the light in the real world, as with his series of smoke works, Pictures of You: Untitled V. Even without obvious subjects, Eskenazi's works inspire deep levels of reflection.  By dismantling the constraints of original imagery, even more abstract ideas are introduced to the audience, a primary focus of his photography.

A Creative Philosophy that Balances Eastern and Western Cultural Elements

Photography is not just inspired by the allure of fantasy or illusion. More often than not, it stems from a passion firmly set in the real world.  Chinese culture has had a deep influence on Eskenazi throughout his life. In calligraphy, landscape paintings, vessels, or even philosophy, his study of Eastern cultural artifacts accumulated over time to gift him with a sharp power of observation. This  also formed a foundation of structural integrity for the uniquely penetrating visuals of his works. Eskenazi declares that he has always sensed the environment through visual depth, while holding a deep reverence for the world around him. He works with several types of material, such as insects, seashells, minerals, mountain rocks, scenery, or smoke to invoke a range of academic disciplines, such as nature, humanities, history, and geology. The physical aspects of these materials are further sensualized to finely capture their life as well as the deep spiritual and philosophical deliberations they create.  Indeed, Eskenazi’s creations echo the thoughts of a philosopher.  In addition to western constructs that emphasize photographic techniques and visual art, Eskenazi adds a spiritual element that culturally enriches the inner self. The TIME / LIGHT exhibition serves as an exploration of highly abstract theories and images.  The artist presents this in the form of a philosophical discussion to establish precedence for ideological connotations previously unseen in photographic art.