Artist Statement

I have a long fascination with the meanings we ascribe to objects. The selection and arrangement of objects in my work is an exploration of ideas and experiences through a process of formal and conceptual constructions. Photography and digital technologies provide me with a means of collecting and manipulating the elements of my artistic process.

Current works begin with sketches, studio assemblage, scans and digital camera images that evolve over several days or months through collecting, arrangement, juxtaposition and digital manipulation. During this camera, studio and computer process, ideas evolve conceptually, striving for a balance of object, idea and aesthetic improvisation.

Artist Bio

A native Montanan, Steve grew up dividing his time between summers working and fishing on the family cattle ranch and school in Bozeman, Montana. "I have felt a strong family heritage in the arts since I was young. There have been painters, photographers and art teachers in my family for at least four generations.

Steve earned his BS in Photography from Montana State University in 1978 and an MFA in Photography and Printmaking in 1980 from the University of Florida. He was Curator of Art and Photography for the Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University from 1981 to 2020. Steve also held an adjunct instructor position since 1984 with the School of Film and Photography at Montana State University, teaching studio, history, theory and workshop courses in photography. His artwork has been exhibited in numerous one-man and group shows throughout the U.S. and is represented in many public and private collections. His works feature extensive use of mixed-media and digital manipulation of the photographic image.

Education:

Master of Fine Arts, University of Florida                  1980
Photography/Printmaking, Gainesville, Florida
Bachelor of Science, Montana State University           1977
Photography, Bozeman, Montana

Exhibitions:  Mixed Media Photography, Painting, and Printmaking

One-Person Show, "New Objectives," Emerson Center for the Arts             2023-24 and Culture, Bozeman, Montana.                                                                                Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts, Montana State            2007
University, Bozeman, Montana
Group Portfolio and Exhibition, "Synaesthetics," Montana State                    2007
University, Bozeman, Montana
Group Exhibition, "15 Montana Artists," Ucross Foundation             2007
Buffalo, Wyoming
Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts, Montana State            2004
University, Bozeman, Montana
Group Exhibition, "Legacy of Place," Beall Park Art Center                           2004
Bozeman, Montana
Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts, Montana State            2002
University, Bozeman, Montana
Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts, Montana State            1999
University, Bozeman, Montana
Group Exhibition, "ASITAW '94", Fine Arts Gallery                         1994
Ohio Wesleyen University, Delaware, Ohio
One-Person Show, "Evolved Realities"                                                           1993
Robert and Gennie DeWeese Gallery, Bozeman, Montana
Graduate Retrospective Group Exhibition, University Gallery                        1992-93
Department of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Annual Sweet Pea Exhibition, Best of Show 1982                                          1981-92
Beall Park Art Center, Bozeman, Montana
Group Exhibition, "Montana on Film," Hockaday Center for the Arts            1991
Kalispell, Montana
Art Auction, "Art Equinox," Annual Art Auction, Paris Gibson Center           1991
for Contemporary Arts, Great Falls, Montana
Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts                                    1991
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
One-Person-Show, University of Oregon Museum of Art                              1989
Eugene, Oregon
Group Exhibition, Pinhole Photography, Beall Park Art Center                      1989
Bozeman, Montana
Faculty Exhibition, Photography, School of Fine Arts                                    1988
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
Group Exhibition, Holter Gallery of Art, Helena, Montana                             1988
Alternatives "87, Trisolini Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio                  1987    
Two-Person Show, Northlight Gallery, Arizona State University                    1987
Tempe, Arizona
One-Person Show, Artifacts Gallery, Bozeman, Montana                               1987
New Photographics/86 Spurgeon Gallery, Purchase Award, Central               1986
Washington University, Ellensberg, Washington
Group Photography Exhibition, Beall Park Art Center                                    1986
Bozeman, Montana
Light Sensitive VII, VI, & V, Thomas Art Center Gallery                                1984-86
Gainesville, Florida
Photographs and Drawings, One-Man Show, Artifacts Gallery                      1982
Bozeman, Montana
Invitational Photography Exhibition, Paris Gibson Art Center, Great  1982
Falls, Montana
NEA Artists' Spaces Exhibition, Cameravision Gallery, Los Angeles  1981
California