Nature feeds us, quenches us, nurtures us, heals and soothes us, and yet we increasingly insulate ourselves from our environment. Natura humana is an exploration of the conflicts and contradictions that arise from the relationship between humans and nature. In a digital world of opposites, each diptych positions a natural element as a conduit through which we connect to our environment and two diametrically opposed human forms or features: speech vs. listening, old vs. young, male vs. female, sight vs. vision.
In a traditional darkroom, multiple negatives were combined to create each image. The positive and negative spaces represent a spin-off of common psychological assessments on perception. The duality of each pairing emphasizes the struggle to find a new equilibrium. I believe that a reconstruction of perceptual boundaries between humans and the environment cultivated a paradigm of mutual and receptive co-evolution.
Steve Engelmann was born in Santa Monica, California. He was always drawn to creative endeavors, but it was a camera at age 14 that changed everything. Steve received a BS in Marine Biology from UCLA. He has taught environmental science at the high school level for over 20 years, while at the same time refining his photographic vision. He has become increasingly involved in the Los Angeles fine art community beginning with a solo exhibit at the Santa Monica College gallery in 2012, as well as, a number of group shows. His current work explores the dysfunctional relationship between humans and nature.
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