Joanelle Mulrain
Event: Doug Eng’s STREAMING SOUTH
Location: Florida State College at Jacksonville, South Campus, Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, Art Gallery, 11901 Beach Blvd.
Dates: Exhibit opens September 7 through September 16
The “nature of structures” and the “structure of nature”—it is, indeed, the intersection of the two that fine art photographer Doug Eng understands on multiple levels as he works from a personal base of structural engineering and software programming. Math and nature, twins.
His discipline is the working relationship of his eye and camera with a laser focus on creating passion and interest in nature, her textures and rhythms, her rigor and surprises. What looks simple becomes ever more complex in the color and shadows of Mother herself in rain, sweating heat, and the haunting cold. His images are alive: you can hear the wind rustle through the leaves, the raindrops hit the top of the water and the dusty ground, and see the sun spear through trees to reach the ground. His photography is emotion eliciting curiosity and offering questions, but never solutions as nature continues to amaze us with her wonder.
Doug’s exhibit, Streaming South, noted to be “Illuminations from a journey home,” is presently at the Wilson Center for the Arts located at the Florida State College of Jacksonville South Campus. Early morning mist and midday worm’s eye view are shown amid the stillness of the swamp and the ever moving changing of seasons.
Mounted and open to the public, this exhibit is simply beautiful, reflecting part of his life. The opening is Thursday, August 27 from 5-7:30pm. “I wanted to share my journey with everyone. Even though we name our neighborhoods and schools after these places, few have been there,” said Doug Eng, upon reflection of developing this show for the college’s public gallery. “I’ve been traveling to National Parks for years. These locations are just as spectacular and miraculous as any you will find elsewhere.”
Eng goes on to explain, “Much of what we read and hear about our relation to the environment makes us feel guilty, remorseful, and angry. I wanted to focus on the beauty and majesty of what exists in our backyards. If we become inspired and develop personal connections, then our sense of caring comes from inside.” He says, “I hope that viewers will think about cultivating their own special places and visiting them often. We need time for reflection, presence, and stillness for our own well-being.”
Do not miss Doug’s bird’s eye view of a year of seasons while navigating Lofton, Durbin, Julington, Six Mile, Deep, McCullough, Thomas, McQueen and Deep Creeks, along with Pages Dairy Road, all capturing the wildness and wonder of the old Florida landscape, water moving slowly, but moving nonetheless. On to Durbin Creek and Julington Creek, names of places few meander silently into. A few red ear slider turtles obliged to be atop sunken trees long felled into tannin-blackened water tip their heads to the sun. Next, he takes us on a journey of Thomas Creek featuring a web of tree trunks coming out of fog awaiting the start of the day. Many seasons, many photos of the cathedrals within nature are presented only to be discovered by a talented photographer who sees and captures for us curious images of nature, bringing them to our eyes in order that we may see.
Don’t miss this show. Take your time. Enjoy.
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