MMPA’s ‘Decoding the Domestic’ explores how an artist’s surroundings affect, inspire work

“Decoding the Domestic” is on exhibit at The Maine Museum of Photographic Arts’ MMPA Gallery, June 16 through Aug. 5. An artist talk will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. July 14.

We are proud to announce our current exhibition as it kicks off our “Gallery season.” The photographic work in this exhibition focuses on how an artist’s surroundings can affect and inspire the work.The images leap ahead, embracing the avant-garde, while nodding backwards at the art historical themes of still life, interiors, landscape and studio work. It reminds us that our thoughts about homely things will always be important to communicate. As ever, there will be framed photographs and prints in the exhibit. The works are beautiful, explore contemporary theory, new technologies, media, and they shouldn’t be missed.  

— MMPA director Denise Froehlich

Photography is about looking around, which is a prerequisite for actually seeing. It operates in that place between art and life, where I like to work, and where I am joined by a great many other women artists whose focus has been “work” and “home” in the broadest sense — that is, lived experience, familiar but unexplored aspects of daily life.  

— Lucy Lippard

The Maine Museum of Photographic Arts is at 15 Middle St., A3, Portland. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and by appointment on Wednesdays. See www.mainemuseumofphotographicarts.org for more information.