Shaun Roberts - "Ground of Being"

Hashimoto Contemporary is proud to present “Ground of Being”, the debut solo show by San Francisco-based photographer Shaun Roberts. This month’s exhibit explores over 7 years worth of documented artist studio visits spanning from coast to coast across the country. Comprised of a selection of photographic work, including a video kiosk and interactive installation, “Ground of Being” encapsulates the different facets of the artist’s cognitive and physical space, conveyed through Roberts’ own distinctive investigations.

After moving to San Francisco almost 15 years ago, Roberts began working alongside numerous individuals within the new contemporary art scene. Initially inspired by the Bay Area’s creative community, Roberts focused his camera on the artist’s studio space. In the photographer’s own words, “The artist’s studio space is a beautiful reflection of who the person is, you get to see all the ingredients and base elements of the persons inner life laid bare before it gets woven into a cohesive, focused piece of art. I see it as a treasure trove of images to explore, discover and make.” For his solo show, Roberts sifted through thousands of his past studio visits and refined a body of work that familiarizes with his fascination in the maker and their process.

Titling this series “Ground of Being”, Roberts’ work focuses on the more metaphysical aspects of the artistic practice. He further explains, “The show is not a literal documentation of artist studios in any methodical way, it’s more about me finding a way to express the experiences I’ve had while doing studio visits, in a sense this will be a visit into my studio, my inner life, my fragments.” Roberts’ photographs manifest in various forms within the gallery. Amid the staggered images hung on the wall, Roberts incorporated a monitor looping stills from past studio visits, accompanied by recorded interviews with the artists pictured on screen. In the center of the gallery, a table stands covered in work prints and outtakes from Robert’s archives.

Join us for “Ground of Being”, opening Saturday, March 7th, with an opening night reception from 6pm-10pm. The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, March 28th.

For more information, additional images, or exclusive content, please email us at info@hashimotocontemporary.com