A photography exhibit by Robert Aller, Bill Hughes, Robert Tobey and Frank Ward

Robert Aller:

Robert Aller, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. His work bridges his self-taught origins with his MFA in photography from Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Initially influenced by the work of documentary street photographers like Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, William Klein and others, his work shifted to documenting the transformative aspects of the industrial landscape in a body of work entitled, “Transfigured Landscapes.” His photographs now revolve around photographing people in various environments, both public and personal, exploring the relationships they cultivate within visually interesting spaces. Aller’s work has been published and widely exhibited and is included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Smith College Museum of Art, Mount Holyoke Art Museum, Maine Museum of Photography, Danforth Museum and others. He retired as professor of photography from Holyoke Community College. Website: www.robertaller.com

Bill Hughes:

Born in Lumberton, North Carolina, Hughes, fueled by a lifelong passion for photography passed down from his father, embarked on a photographic journey that took him from a diverse array of jobs to capturing the essence of the Latino community in Springfield, Massachusetts with the “Palante” series. Strongly influenced by photographers Diane Arbus, Keith Carter and Ben Lifson, Hughes’ lens has explored cultures in the cities of Paris, Berlin, Prague, the Greek Island of Hydra, and Asunción, Paraguay creating a visually diverse body of work. His work has been published and exhibited in the New York Times, Springfield Museum of Art and the Danforth Museum. Website: www.hughesstudio.com

Robert Tobey:

A self-taught photographer who attended Boston University, Robert Tobey’s work is marked by its directness and depth. Using 4X5”, medium format, and 35mm, Tobey’s photographs delve into the everyday lives of people, often in moments of distraction and preoccupation. His recent “Blind I” series, shot in two days, offers a commentary on voyeurism and consumerism, while presenting enigmatic and thought-provoking portraits. He was staff photographer at a number of publications, has been published in regional and national magazines, including Newsweek, The Boston Globe, New Age, GEO, Yankee, and ArtForum, and exhibited his work in galleries and museums.

Frank Ward:

Frank Ward, an Ashfield-based photographer and former Holyoke Community College professor with a rich history of documenting people and places around the world, brings a global perspective to the exhibition. A graduate of Bard College (MFA), Ward’s work, informed by years of travel, cultural diplomacy, and grants, captures the rapid transformations occurring in regions like the former Soviet Union, India, and the former Yugoslavia. His keen eye for change and evolution in society is a central theme in his portraits. www.fmward.com