William Dey
William Dey
Chicago, IL, United States
About William Dey
The world, as seen through the lens of William Dey, is a reflection of incisive visual observation. Dey has a gift for composition, an innate awareness of which visual elements must remain in order to complete the image - and the discipline to remove all that is extraneous. This is evident throughout his work, be it the thunderous silence of the barren desert in winter, his stark juxtapositions of life in Palm Springs, lush reflections on the glory days of Detroit design, the chic, structured tableaux of Dey's fashion photography, or his innovative and revealing portraits.
When creating a photograph, Dey looks for the angles - both literally and figuratively. He constantly seeks a means to observe the world from the edges, to record unnoticed the moments that comprise the narrative threads of our being, or of our having been. His hands may hold the camera, but Dey's interest is not in becoming part of the picture, nor in influencing the outcome. His sole purpose is to allow each thoughtful, artistically composed image to fully manifest itself and then to speak its own unique truth.
William Dey began his career by working as a fashion stylist in Chicago, and this provided him with his first real exposure to the professional photography process. He was surrounded by talented professionals who were at the top of their game, and each new shoot brought important insight and practical career experience. He relocated first to Miami, and later to New York City, and in both places he had the opportunity to work with important photographers from the United States and abroad. Dey's own compositional awareness was rapidly evolving during this period, and by careful observation of the professionals he was working alongside, he was able to develop the comprehensive understanding of lighting and angles that have become hallmarks of his work.
Dey believes that he looks at, and records, life around him in a different and deeper way than most photographers. He is constantly engaged in visual exploration and analysis, looking for the small details, the subtle messages that can be revealed in the composition. He feels that it is not always a good thing to confront a photograph head-on, that the essence of his work is searching for the angles that are more revealing of the true essence of the subject.
When asked about the importance of a visual narrative in a photograph, Dey answered, "I have an internal vision that expands and evolves as I develop the composition. Visual narrative, the 'story' that presents itself to the viewer, is the important difference between fine art photography and and what may just be a competent photograph. What I strive for in each of my images is to impart that internal vision into the finished photograph so that the viewer can fully experience it."
When creating a photograph, Dey looks for the angles - both literally and figuratively. He constantly seeks a means to observe the world from the edges, to record unnoticed the moments that comprise the narrative threads of our being, or of our having been. His hands may hold the camera, but Dey's interest is not in becoming part of the picture, nor in influencing the outcome. His sole purpose is to allow each thoughtful, artistically composed image to fully manifest itself and then to speak its own unique truth.
William Dey began his career by working as a fashion stylist in Chicago, and this provided him with his first real exposure to the professional photography process. He was surrounded by talented professionals who were at the top of their game, and each new shoot brought important insight and practical career experience. He relocated first to Miami, and later to New York City, and in both places he had the opportunity to work with important photographers from the United States and abroad. Dey's own compositional awareness was rapidly evolving during this period, and by careful observation of the professionals he was working alongside, he was able to develop the comprehensive understanding of lighting and angles that have become hallmarks of his work.
Dey believes that he looks at, and records, life around him in a different and deeper way than most photographers. He is constantly engaged in visual exploration and analysis, looking for the small details, the subtle messages that can be revealed in the composition. He feels that it is not always a good thing to confront a photograph head-on, that the essence of his work is searching for the angles that are more revealing of the true essence of the subject.
When asked about the importance of a visual narrative in a photograph, Dey answered, "I have an internal vision that expands and evolves as I develop the composition. Visual narrative, the 'story' that presents itself to the viewer, is the important difference between fine art photography and and what may just be a competent photograph. What I strive for in each of my images is to impart that internal vision into the finished photograph so that the viewer can fully experience it."
Exhibitions
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2012
Savage Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Liquid Assets". Solo Exhibition. Curated by Sean Savage
Tuxedo Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Luxury Palm Springs". Group Exhibition. Curated by Laurie Weitz
Gallery 446, Palm Springs, CA. "The Surreal Art Show". Group Exhibition. Curated by Shaktima Brien
Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA. "ACE Artists Council Exhibition" Juried Exhibition. Peter Frank, Juror
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "Infinite Exposure". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone
2013
Gallery 446, Palm Springs, CA. "Exposed". Group Exhibition. Curated by Laurie Weitz
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "18 Deys of Summer". Solo Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "50 Shades of Great". Group Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
Creare Gallery El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA. "Art and Espionage". Group Exhibition. Curated by Dimitri Halkidis
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Holiday". Group Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
2014
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "Midcentury Modernism and Its Influence". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone
2015
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "A Feast for the Eyes". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone and Tony Barone
2012
Savage Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Liquid Assets". Solo Exhibition. Curated by Sean Savage
Tuxedo Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Luxury Palm Springs". Group Exhibition. Curated by Laurie Weitz
Gallery 446, Palm Springs, CA. "The Surreal Art Show". Group Exhibition. Curated by Shaktima Brien
Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA. "ACE Artists Council Exhibition" Juried Exhibition. Peter Frank, Juror
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "Infinite Exposure". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone
2013
Gallery 446, Palm Springs, CA. "Exposed". Group Exhibition. Curated by Laurie Weitz
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "18 Deys of Summer". Solo Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "50 Shades of Great". Group Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
Creare Gallery El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA. "Art and Espionage". Group Exhibition. Curated by Dimitri Halkidis
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. "Holiday". Group Exhibition. Curated by Michael Fiacco
2014
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "Midcentury Modernism and Its Influence". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone
2015
University of CA at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus. "A Feast for the Eyes". Group Exhibition. Curated by Karen Barone and Tony Barone
