Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Lamb.
Hi Tom, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a landscape, architectural, aerial and ethnographic photographer. Using photography as my primary tool, along with pioneering trends in new media. Through the art of storytelling, I has dedicated my life to creating memorable photographs and championing environmental awareness.
My photographic images, both from the air and the ground are often of/ in transition or abandoned landscapes. I use images to examine how we interact with the planet’s most valuable and increasingly threatened resources.
I am interested in the abstract balance between the natural world and man’s mark on the land. My introduction to the art movement known as Abstract Expressionism came while a graduate student at the Rhode Island School of Design in the late 1970s. During that time, I assisted artist Aaron Siskind who was well-known for his own abstract photographic work.
My images examine how we interact with the planet’s most valuable but increasingly threatened resources. I have always been interested with culture and with the balance between the natural world and man’s mark on the land. I have been fortunate to travel extensively with my work published, exhibited and collected internationally.
Lamb Studio is a design, communications and photography workshop focused on environmental and cultural interpretation efforts. The studio has collaborated with nonprofits aiding in efforts from worldwide perspective.
Born in New York City, NY
Independent Study in Photography, South Kent School (SKS), South Kent, CT Studied Photography at the Center of the Eye, Aspen, CO
BFA in Printmaking, Hartford Art School (HAS), West Hartford, CT
MFA in Photography, The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI Apprenticed with Master Photographer, Aaron Siskind, Providence, RI Department Chair, Art & Photography, Colorado Mountain College (CMC), CO
Partner, SWA Group, Landscape Architects, Laguna Beach, CA
Faculty Member, Art +Photography Department, Saddleback College, CA
I am pleased to give back when possible and currently participate and sit on the board of a variety of nonprofit organizations
Board of Directors – Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, CA
Board of Directors – LPAPA, Laguna Beach, CA
Board of Directors – SAW Legacy Project, Vail, CO
Board of Directors – YUMA Art Symposium, Yuma, AZ
Board of Directors – Metcalf Creek Association, Big Bear, CA
Board of Directors – Panda Mountain, Wolong, Sichuan, PRC
Board of Directors – Phen-dey/ Nying-Je Foundation, Tibetan Arts and Cultural
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art – Artist Member, Santa Ana, CA
Los Angeles Art Association – LAAA – Artist Member, Los Angeles, CA
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s always been a continuum of seeking ways to express my vision // one reaches a fork in the road and which do you take? I guess I’ve been lucky to have a very supportive family and for the most part, chose a good direction. Clients and collectors along with my students and places and people I’ve interacted with have made the journey more interesting and rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Urban Jungle – Marks on the Land Series Marks on the Land is a continuing theme or structure in my work – from ancient rock art found in the canyons and by-ways to the designed and found landscapes of the formal and informal gardens and special spaces of the world. Created from the ground and/ or flying low from helicopters over/on the agricultural and the abandoned landscapes of my homeland in California and elsewhere. These views, extracted from their context, have produced the concept for this abstract series of photographs.
I am intrigued by the elevated perspective, especially being as one would say, “on location” Looking toward earth, directing the pilot to spin around, dip the nose, fly sideways or backwards, and even cut the engines to float downward-all to capture the right image. With a helicopter and its pilot, it’s like doing a dance -creating the abstract work is my dream state.
Being able to create art / be a photographer and have a wonderful family
Formally and informally educated in a variety of politically, social, culturally and art-based environments. Growing up in a creative household and working with great planners, conservationists, imagemakers, storytellers and adventurists; created the foundation for my image-making process.
Next steps:
Headed to India this month to celebrate Tibetan Losar and photograph completed efforts of our non-profit.
In June, I am planning on heading back to West Africa to revisit/ photograph with a Ghanaian friend in preparation of our new exhibit next year at OCCCA.
Finally working on pulling together my aerial images from the last 30 years for publication and exhibition.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
There are many more players and the world with the internet, social media and instant news has changed the way we interact and look at our world.
Plants, animals and individualized cultures are so endangered.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lambstudio.com
Image Credits
TOM_LAMB-1 © Steve Kellenberg TOM_LAMB-2 © Charley Akers
