Houston FotoFest 2026 Fine Print Auction and Preview
I am very honored and happy that Steven Evans, Executive Director of the Houston FotoFest, has once again selected one of my photographs to participate in their biennial Fine Print Auction. I have been involved with FotoFest ever since 2008 and have taken part in every auction ever since my solo exhibition of my ANONYMIZATION project at the 2016 FotoFest “Changing Circumstances” exhibition program.
For this Biennial I am donating a 32×32 inch inkjet print of the landmark “Balanced Rock” at Arches National Park in Utah. This monumental rock formation has a certain power which enthralled and moved me and I ended up spending quite a bit of time in its presence, also photographing busloads of Chinese tourists who had traveled half way around the world to see it. I have given the photograph the title “Equilibrium”. It is intended to be part of my multi-year project about the 2008 Great Recession, and more broadly the project is about the imbalance that exists in our world dominated by the invisible hand of market forces which drive our lives and the fate of the landscape and nature. On the one hand, there are econonic interests that see the land as a financial commodity converting acres of land into profit from things such as real estate and mining. At the same time, people travel across oceans just to be able to see and revere wonders of what “untouched” nature is left, such as this gargantuan rock formation, on acres shielded from development.
Many thanks to Steven Evans and Chris Wicker of FotoFest for taking on my work and for getting it on the wall in Houston. Many thanks also to fine art printer Ross Kiah (pictured here) of Palm Press, Inc. in Medford, Massachusetts for his excellent, meticulous work in scanning my Hasselblad negative and for making what I hope viewers will see as an exquisite print printed on a heavier Canson Infinity Fibre Rag paper (310 gsm). We spent quite a bit of time and made quite a few tests to try to optimize the print and to try to convey as best as is humbly possible, a bit of the might of this majestic mammoth of nature.
Since 40 years now, FotoFest has done so very much for so many photographers from all over the world, as myself, as well as for the broader community in Houston. It is an honor and pleasure to be able to contribute a little bit to this wonderful organization so that it may continue thrive for many decades to come.
Here are some excerpts from the FotoFest website:
“The FotoFest Fine Print Auction offers a curated selection of museum-quality prints on an exceptional night that invigorates our understanding of contemporary photography. FotoFest organizes this live benefit auction as its principal fundraiser… FotoFest takes pride in ensuring only the highest quality of work is showcased by thoughtfully selecting each artist and print, giving special attention to skill and cultural impact… Revenue from print sales and table sponsorships directly supports FotoFest Biennials, exhibitions, public programming, professional development programs for artists, and the Literacy Through Photography curriculum, serving thousands of Houston-area students annually.”
If you are in Houston, please stop by, also to see the multitude of other exhibitions taking place as part of their “Global Visions – FotoFest at 40” program!
Fine Print Auction Preview
Saturday, March 14 – Monday, March 16, 2026 | 9 AM–5 PM
Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria
Director’s Auction Tour and Talk
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 2–4 PM
Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria
Live Auction and Gala
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | 6–9 PM
6 PM Reception with donating artists
7 PM Dinner and Auction
Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria