Artist Entry: Dominic Rouse

(this photo has been my main inspiration)

Dominic Rouse is an English photographer whose surrealist approach to the human form was a huge inspiration to my work. I originally discovered his work in B&W Magazine conveniently around the same time I began working on my Origin series (which at the time I didn't realize would be a series).

He works in large format, black and white and is often compared to other surrealist artists like Jerry Uelsmann and Uelsmann's wife, Maggie Taylor (no worries, I will definitely be talking about them later). However different from Uelsmann in process, Rouse uses multiple exposures, digitally combines them and then reprints in the darkroom. While a contemporary artist, his work tends to give the impression of age. His themes are also consistent (ie religion, death). I admire him working within his themes which is consistent, approaching complicated subjects with complicated imagery.

While our messages are distinctly different, his themes have inspired me to really think about what I am exactly trying to say with my series.

www.dominicrouse.com