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BIDDEFORD, Maine

John Ripton's Exhibition 'reflections - urban (por)traits' on display at UNE

The University of New England hosts an exhibition entitled "reflections - urban (por)traits" by photographer John Ripton at UNE's Biddeford Campus Center from July 28 through September 2, 2011. There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Ripton was born in Hartland, Maine. At fourteen, he borrowed a Kodak Brownie camera and took his first photographs. In his early twenties, he bought his first camera and wandered into wooded parks and other natural areas photographing. Fascinated with thoughts and emotions evoked by light and shadow, angles and shapes, he found photography a way to compose experience.

The photographs in "reflections - urban (por)traits" reflect Ripton's observations in urban landscapes in the U.S., the Caribbean, and other parts of the world over the past decade. Through canyons of steel and glass, in alleys of brick and dumpsters, along the expanses of concrete and pavement, life ebbs and flows, an ocean of energy, voices and traffic noise. Joy, companionship, isolation, reflection, sorrow, confusion, love, desire - all that is human - are intensified in the stoic solidity, concentrated space and flat countenance of walls. 

The riotous city soundscape is silenced for a moment, pushed briefly away by thoughts, experiences and emotions. Ironically, the private is more and less private at the same time. A neighbor and a stranger share moments though one or both may not realize the other's presence. In these circumstances a hand-held camera is a perfect instrument for capturing the ephemera of private feelings and thoughts. These images move inward and outward psychologically, each one a thought suspended until the viewer considers it.

Ripton's first photography exhibition was in 2007. Recently his work was exhibited at the Hunterdon Art Museum in New Jersey where he lives with his wife Barbara. His photographs are in private collections in the U.S. and Europe. He earned a Ph.D. in history from Columbia University and writes professional articles, essays and poetry. Ripton is History Chairperson at Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone, New Jersey.

This exhibition and Opening Reception are free and open to the public. The Campus Center hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Diane Noble at dbmn27@maine.rr.com.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.