Image Title: Transposition (from Illumitones)
Image Size: 8.8"x12" on 11"x14" paper
Created: 2010
Edition of: 50
Medium: Pigment Print

Artist Statement and Biography

The Illumitones series represents Kim Kauffman’s most recent exploration of abstraction –– a vision that has informed her photography since she first picked up a camera forty years ago. Differing from her earlier abstract photographs of found subject matter, Illumitones images are cameraless photo-collages. The images reflect the evolution of cameraless photography from William Henry Fox Talbot’s light drawings to Moholy-Nagy’s photograms. While Illumitones has a shared history, it represents a contemporary approach; the mix of hardness and softness as a line moves through space and the tactile goes from rough to smooth and back again is made possible by scanner technology and computer post-visualization. “Through abstraction the subject is transformed becoming a vehicle for organic and geometric studies of light and shadow, line and form –– distilling the intrinsic elements of the human endeavor of making art,” Kauffman states.

In addition to making photographs as a full-time endeavor, Kauffman advises photography students on portfolio development, teaches seminars on her cameraless technique and gives talks about her work to classes, artist groups and gallery patrons. She enjoys working one-to-one with students and sharing her experience in all aspects of photography, including business skills, that are not readily available in photography curricula.

The Illumitones portfolio and an interview were recently featured in LensWork, #84, September- October 2009. Kauffman’s work is included in many public and private collections.

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