When I was a child I pasted found objects and photographs into books. It helped me record thoughts and create visual order. I still paste things together. Combining images satisfies my compulsion to arrange random events into a narrative; to mix past with present and form an imagined world inside of an existing one. My work loosely explores ideas surrounding balance, memory and time. It carries with it a variety of influences, which constantly evolve based on the relevance I apply to particular happenings in my life. My process is nonlinear. I frequently start with a drawing or painting, sometimes a photograph. I later add combinations of varying media and what I end up with rarely resembles my original intent.

My first camera was a 1973 Polaroid Land Camera. I began shooting at night. Unable to make the rotating, disposable flash cubes sync with my shutter, the images were blurry. I remember thinking, if I could just hold still, I’d take better pictures. I started shooting again in the early nineties to create content for my collage work. The darkroom enchanted me. I loved the meticulous routine and rules, which I later learned could be broken. Around the same time I began photographing people, and have been doing so for more than two decades. I never set out to be a portrait photographer and still don’t think of myself that way. What began as a means of temporary, supplemental income managed to plant itself as a permanent guest. I try to approach portraiture as an artist - the difference being I’m no longer expressing only myself, but obligated to capture my subjects as well.

-Peggy Washburn is an interdisciplinary, artist, educator and fine-art portrait photographer whose work has been acquired by permanent collections including the Bibliothéque nationale de France, The Ralph Lauren collection, The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Museo Nazionale della Fotografia and Seattle University.  Along with numerous gallery shows, nationally and internationally, her work has been exhibited at The Woodmere Art Museum, The Frye Art Museum, The Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Seattle Art Museum Gallery and Museo Nazionale della Fotografia.  She works on both East and West Coasts, and currently resides in Philadelphia where she runs an after-school photography program for at-risk youth.

 




Collections

Exhibitions

Awards

Features

Artist talks/Lectures/Teaching

Volunteer work and Community Involvement

  • 2018- 2023 Director of Photo Club (an after school art-based photography program for at-risk youth in North Philadelphia)

  • 2017-2023 Academic Advisory Board, University of Washington program for Certificate in Photography

  • 2017-2018 PPAC Photo in Schools (Non-Profit program bringing photography to at-risk youth in Philadelphia Schools)

  • 2011-2013 Casa Latina (Non-Profit organization to help Latin American Immigrants in transition)

  • 2003-2004 The Heart Gallery Project (Traveling state-funded exhibit to increase adoption in WA State)

  • 1992  Co-Director, Insight Youth (Non-profit photography program for at-risk youth in Seattle)

  • 1991 instructor, Youth In Focus (Non-profit photography program for at-risk youth in Seattle)

 

 





 

Peggy Washburn Fine Art is always willing to support community, educational and non profit organizations.  If you are interested in soliciting a donation please feel free to contact us via email.