Michael Starkman: Sacred Grove

“Sacred Grove” is an intimate portrait of the Mendocino Woodlands, a second growth forest of redwood and bay laurel in Northern California. Felled by loggers 100 years ago and then ravaged by fire, the woodlands manifests Nature’s capacity for self-renewal, a lesson in the reestablishment of ecological balance surrounding still visible scars of destruction. Michael Starkman takes photographs to broaden his knowledge of this land, deepen his connection with its spirit, and “to glimpse the timeless sacred through his viewfinder.” The photographs in “Sacred Grove” were taken over six summers, 2006–2011. Michael shoots film and hand prints each gelatin silver print in his darkroom.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Michael Starkman began making photographs after first training in drawing and printmaking. He received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and presently teaches in the Art and Design program at UC Berkeley Extension. His work has been the subject of solo exhibitions in the United States and Europe and can be found in public and private collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, the Harry Ransom Center for the Humanities in Austin Texas, and the Hollar Gallery in Prague. Michael lives and works in San Francisco.