Sharon Core: A Dialogue Between Painting and Photography
Sharon Core (born 1965) is an American artist whose practice embodies a fascinating tension between the traditions of painting and photography, exploring how these mediums intersect to interrogate notions of representation, reproduction, and “realism.” Her journey began with formal training in painting at UGA, followed by a Master’s degree from Yale University School of Art where she earned the George Sakier Memorial Prize for Excellence in Photography. This dual grounding informs her distinctive approach—a meticulous process rooted in observation and informed by art history—resulting in images that simultaneously challenge and celebrate established conventions.
Early Influences & Artistic Formation
Core’s initial artistic explorations centered around capturing family photographs, establishing a foundational connection to visual storytelling from an early age. This practice quickly evolved into a fascination with the work of specific artists who captivated her imagination. Notably, she drew inspiration from Raphael Peale, whose still lifes—characterized by luminous lighting and subtle tonal gradations—served as models for her own compositions. These paintings, imbued with a masterful use of light and color, instilled in Core a profound appreciation for how painters conveyed emotion and narrative through visual imagery. Similarly, Core studied the genre of Dutch banquet portrait paintings of the seventeenth century, analyzing their formal structures and expressive gestures to understand how painters communicated complex ideas within a carefully crafted framework. These influences would prove crucial in shaping her artistic vision throughout her career.
The Thiebauds Series: Translating Impressionism into Photography
Core’s breakthrough came with *Thiebauds* (2003–4), a series that reimagined the paintings of Wayne Thiebaud—renowned for his muted palettes and close-up depictions of everyday objects like cakes and candies—through the lens of photography. Recognizing Thiebaud's masterful use of impasto, Core painstakingly recreated his canvases in edible form, meticulously arranging ingredients to mirror the painterly textures. This ambitious undertaking wasn’t merely a stylistic exercise; it was an attempt to translate the essence of Impressionism into a medium traditionally associated with objective documentation. The resulting photographs—acquired by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum—demonstrated Core's ability to capture not only visual likeness but also the emotional resonance inherent in Thiebaud’s work. She sought to honor his legacy by presenting his paintings as if they were tangible objects, inviting viewers to contemplate the materiality of art alongside its aesthetic qualities.
Exploring Reproduction and Illusion: Oldenburgs & Beyond
Continuing her exploration of photographic illusionism, Core tackled Claes Oldenburg’s oversized sculptures—hamburgers, ice cream cones—creating monumental prints that replicated these artworks as two-dimensional images. This project underscored Core's conviction that photography could engage in a dialogue with sculpture, questioning assumptions about materiality and representation. She meticulously documented the sculptures using techniques designed to maximize visual impact, emphasizing the interplay between scale and perception. Furthermore, she investigated the genre of Dutch banquet portrait paintings, analyzing their formal structures and expressive gestures to understand how painters communicated complex ideas within a carefully crafted framework. Her work consistently challenges viewers to consider how photographic images can convey narratives and emotions just as effectively as traditional painting mediums.
Recognition & Legacy
Sharon Core’s artistic achievements have garnered considerable acclaim, earning her prestigious awards including the Shifting Foundation Fellowship and the Rema Hort Mann Foundation Emerging Artist Grant. Her monograph *Early American* was published by Radius Books in 2012, cementing her position as a leading figure in contemporary still life photography. She continues to exhibit internationally, showcasing her distinctive approach—a meticulous process rooted in observation and informed by art history—resulting in images that simultaneously challenge and celebrate established conventions. Her unwavering dedication to artistic experimentation ensures that Sharon Core’s legacy will endure for years to come, inspiring future generations of artists to embrace the transformative potential of combining painting and photography into a singular creative vision.
