Kelli Connell
July 2008

Kelli Connell plans to use her residency at Light Work to scan and digitally print images from her Double Life series. The photographs from this series depict the same model appearing multiple times in one image. According to Connell, "This work represents an autobiographical questioning of sexuality and gender roles that shape the identity of the self in intimate relationships." The work looks at different polarities of identity, such as the exterior and interior self, the irrational and rational self, the masculine and feminine psyche, and the motivated and resigned self. Connell combines multiple negatives featuring the same model, depicting the different polarities through the use of clothing and body language. The work in this series has been exhibited in New York and San Francisco, as well as included in various publications.

Connell received her MFA in photography from Texas Woman's University, and her BFA in both photography and visual art studies from the University of North Texas. Her work has been exhibited nationwide. Connell has also received various awards and residencies, and given lectures and workshops across the country. Connell currently teaches at Columbia College in Chicago.

Krista Steinke
July 2008

Krista Steinke will use her residency at Light Work to scan negatives and print images from two series, Backyards, BB Guns, and Nursery Rhymes , and Sand Castles in the Compost Pile. The series Backyards, BB Guns, and Nursery Rhymes is a photo and video series inspired by memory, fairy tales, and fables. According to Steinke, "Placing a contemporary spin on familiar archetypal stories, I use references from children's literature as a point of departure to question the nature of innocence and comment on the human psyche." The series Sand Castles in the Compost Pile uses the same conceptual style, but uses adult models to look at the lines between fantasy/reality and entrapment/escapism in contemporary suburban life.

Steinke received a BA in advanced humanities from Valparaiso University, a BFA from the School of Art Institute of Chicago, and an MFA in photography and digital imaging from The Maryland Institute, College of Art. Her work has been exhibited nationwide, and she has received various awards and fellowships including First Place for the 2007 Singular Image at CENTER, Santa Fe. Steinke is currently an assistant professor at Moravian College.

Light Work's Artist-in-Residence Program

Since 1976 nearly 300 artists have participated in Light Work's Artist-in-Residence program. Each year Light Work invites 12-15 artists to participate in this program. During their month-long residencies each artist is given the opportunity to create new work at our studio facility in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center at Syracuse University. Each Artist-in-Residence donates a few examples of their work to Light Work's permanent collection. The Light Work collection currently includes over 2,400 images.

How to apply to the Artist-in-Residence program