Becky Behar

Seeing You, Seeing Me

March 6 - September 3, 2020

Seeing You, Seeing Me began as a photographic collaboration between my 21-year-old daughter, Leah, and me. She is in front of the camera while I stay behind it. However, in our images we share the roles of observer and participant. In these pictures, I see her becoming an adult, while she sees me in the role of mother and photographer.

With Seeing You, Seeing Me, I slow time with intent. I dress Leah in my clothing and pose her with personal artifacts. In doing so, I reflect what gets passed from one generation to the next. I portray the traditions and morals that I hope to leave in her. I include still lifes that also act as portraits in their own way. The fruits and flowers matured, yet they remain vibrant and fragrant.

Inspired by Dutch artists, particularly Vermeer, I attempt to create romanticized images that capture a fleeting and pivotal moment in time – the still of life as she stands on the cusp of adulthood and I witness the passing of time.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Becky Behar (b. 1969) creates portraits and still lifes in domestic spaces. She is heavily influenced by Dutch Golden Age paintings, especially those of Johannes Vermeer. Color and light occupy a central role in her images. Beginning with pinhole photography and black and white film, Behar focused on darkroom techniques early on. A summer spent studying documentary photography at the Rhode Island School of Design, instilled in her the importance of telling a story with art. After raising three children, Behar has returned to photography, studying at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA, the New England School of Photography in Waltham, MA and at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. Behar has participated in group exhibitions as well as a solo exhibition at the Griffin Museum in December 2019 through February 2020. https://www.beckybehar.com/