Photographer hopes to open eyes through solo gallery show
Despite struggling with a speech impediment as a child, Ben Hughes learned how to communicate complex emotions without saying a single word — a talent he demonstrated Wednesday afternoon, May 1, at an event at Butler SUCCEED.
The Slippery Rock University branch is hosting Hughes’ first solo photography show, which not only houses his landscape work, but a written personal story about his childhood that explains how he found a passion for photography in high school.
“I signed up for a photography class, and without knowing, it changed my life for the better,” Hughes said. “I could take a photo without saying one word and have emotion and feeling to it.”
Butler SUCCEED had an opening reception for Hughes and his artwork Wednesday, and the photos will be displayed in the space until at least May 15. Hughes’ photos, which capture animals, scenic views of Butler and Pittsburgh, streets and more, caught Josette Skobieranda Dau, associate director of Butler SUCCEED, off-guard, because she didn’t know the versatility of landscape photography. Skobieranda Dau said Butler SUCCEED is hosting the gallery as a sanctioned project of the Butler Cultural District, which is also where the organizers convene for meetings.
“My first question to Ben was, ‘Do you do portraits?’ And he looked at me and said, ‘No,’” Skobieranda Dau said. “He said, ‘I do landscapes.’ And if you have not seen Ben’s landscapes, you will.”
The Butler Cultural District is a project spearheaded by the Butler Rotary Club PM, and aims to outline a portion of the city where art and creativity could be highlighted.
Hughes said Skobieranda Dau and Butler SUCCEED approached Ben with the idea of displaying his art at the office, which he was happy to do. He has his own photography business in Eyes Wide Open Photography, and has previously displayed photos in the Butler Art Center and Gallery.
While Hughes has been able to get eyes on his photography, the solo show gallery at Butler SUCCEED gave him the opportunity to share his personal story, which he hopes inspires others.
“I hope the art that I do helps people with disability, as I have,” Hughes said, “and just to show that you can do it no matter who you are or whatever physical disability you have. You just have to keep at it.”
