Chancellor Kent Syverud | Syracuse University
Chancellor Kent Syverud | Syracuse University
Light Work will showcase "Mater si, magistra no," a solo exhibition by Nabil Harb, until April 25 at the Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery in Syracuse. An opening reception is scheduled for January 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibition title translates to "Mother yes, teacher no" and features black-and-white photographs that capture moments and scenes from Harb's hometown of Lakeland in Polk County, Florida. This location serves as both the backdrop and central character of Harb's narrative, which aims to convey the atmosphere of a place without words.
"The landscape is the perfect reflection of our society, our ultimate index—it holds our histories, our secrets, our failures and our hopes for the future," Harb states.
Harb's photography explores themes of beauty and destruction coexisting within a surreal atmosphere. His work presents narratives where man versus nature is a central theme, revealing potential beauty in destruction and rebirth.
Nabil Harb is a Palestinian American photographer born and raised in Polk County, Florida. He earned his bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of South Florida and his master of fine arts degree in photography from Yale University. His work has appeared in Aperture, The Atlantic, ArtReview, The Guardian, and A24.
Additionally, Light Work will present the 2025 B.F.A. Art Photography Annual featuring senior students from Syracuse University's Art Photography program. The artists include Maxine Brackbill, Charles Lavion, Kelsey Quinn Leary, Lili Moreno Martel, Shawn McCauley, and Hazel Wagner.
Each spring offers seniors an opportunity to exhibit images from their thesis projects at Light Work. These projects explore diverse subjects ranging from personal themes to fashion experiments. Students collaborate with Light Work’s curatorial staff for image selection and printing.
“The B.F.A. Art Photography Annual is not only the first exhibition for many of the students in the Art Photography program but also an important learning opportunity for them,” says Laura Heyman, associate professor of art photography.
Bruno Ceschel served as juror for this exhibition and selected Brackbill’s images for Best in Show.
“Maxine Brackbill’s photographs address identity through lenses of gender, race and familial contexts," says Ceschel.
An opening reception will be held on January 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work.
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