Local photographer displays work




OPTICAL  ILLUSION-Calabasas  resident  David  Copperman  examines  an  exhibit  by  local photographer j. Madison Rink at the Agoura Hills Library. Rink's work is a study of mimetoliths- natural topographic elements, such as rocks, that resemble something else, like a face or an animal.

OPTICAL ILLUSION-Calabasas resident David Copperman examines an exhibit by local photographer j. Madison Rink at the Agoura Hills Library. Rink’s work is a study of mimetoliths- natural topographic elements, such as rocks, that resemble something else, like a face or an animal.


The fine art photographs of j. Madison Rink will be showcased at the Agoura Hills Library through Nov. 30.

Rink is an award-winning artist who resides in Agoura Hills. Her exhibit is titled “Primitive Nature and the Colors of Nature.” R i n k said her original photographs were shot in the “ancient and mysterious volcanic Santa Monica Mountains range.”

The exhibit is located in the Friends of the Library lounge and was drawn from many of Rink’s themed collections. The image of the Shaman won an award from the Center for Fine Art Photography international competition.

Rink’s Shaman series has been featured in exhibits throughout the United States. It’s being showcased at the Denver International Airport Gallery until January 2007; it has also been exhibited at the Fort Collins Gallery in Colorado.

“After years of interest and exposure to the beauty and intrigue of antique tribal and Asian art created by the indigenous peoples from around the world, I set out one day with my camera on a curious hunt,” Rink’s written statement explains. “I felt drawn and called upon to see if I could find similar tribal and Asianlike images on the surface of our earth.” Natural images of the Santa

Monica Mountains captured Rink’s attention. She said the 46mile chain of 12million to 200millionyearold volcanic mountains served as a perfect subject for her haunting photographs.

“This is a gloriously ancient, mysterious and diverse mountain range that geologists say has disappeared into the sea and reemerged again, on more than one occasion,” Rink said.

Raya Sagi, community library manager, said the display case was purchased by the Friends of the Library at the end of 2002 to display art, crafts, hobbies and cultural diversity projects by local residents.

“We began with displaying our library’s special collections, honoring special monthly subjects like Children’s Book Week with an emphasis on the children’s bookmark contest,” Sagi said.

Sagi said displays have since showcased Asian Pacific Heritage Month, Japanese and Lithuanian cultures, Agoura Amateur Radio Club memorabilia and various other items.

Another exhibit displayed local resident Sharon McGee’s family history and personal documents of first generation Americans celebrating Thanksgiving.

“From time to time we display library-related activities such as ‘Happy Birthday to the American Presidents,'” Sagi said.

The Agoura Hills Public Library is at 29901 Ladyface Court. It is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. For further information, call Sagi at (818) 889-2278. -Stephanie Bertholdo

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