The Exhibition Turnaround 2008 "Curiosity frees me from thoughts and images to which I am attached or that I have not fully examined." Curiosity is what led me to Turnaround, an exhibition of photographs inspired by the simple act of taking one image and turning it upside down. My eyes and mind shifted to see another view of the same image. Another shift occurred by turning the image another quarter turn. The final image that I selected appears to be like water flowing around obstacles in a stream. It struck me that this idea of turning around an image bringing a new perspective was similar in concept to Byron Katie’s The Work with its “4 Questions and Turnarounds”. In The Work, I came to experience how my mind shifted when I questioned my stressful thoughts. By turning the thoughts around to the opposite, to the other and then to my self, I often found an amazing shift in perception. In photography I learned many years ago to Turnaround from the main scene of interest and to see what was going on behind me. As an example I found that my favorite image of the famous rock garden of the Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto was behind the temple facing the garden. In the same way, my favorite image of Machu Picchu was of another mountain in the fog across the way. My personal Turnaround began in 2004, which led to the first exhibition Images from an Awakening Heart. I am very grateful to many friends and family members who continue to assist me in this Turnaround. In seeking the actions and responses that work better than previous thoughts and beliefs, I continue to realize how Turnarounds bring awareness and joy to my personal growth.		It is with this in mind that I sought abstract images that would Turnaround evoking a shift from the original image. Which is truer, the original or what I now saw as another view? Is it correct that the tree trunk is vertical in the image or is it true that it lays horizontal. Does it matter? Is there something seen from a shift that evokes another truth? On both floors of the O’Hanlon gallery there are a few Turnaround images. I invite you to enjoy these photographs as they are. Thank you for your support and interest. Wayne Heldt Thank You To: The many friends and loved ones who provided encouragement, patience and love during the process leading to the exhibition. Gina Van Dicken for her dedication and support in countless areas of my life. Nancy Olin whose love, patience and generosity have added so much joy to my life. The O’Hanlon Center for the Arts for the invitation to exhibit my photography and in particular, Megan Wilkinson who gently assisted us through the process. Pauchi Sasaki for her inspiration. While looking at one of my photographs, we turned it around and the idea for this exhibition was born. Special thanks to Fleche Phoenix, Fred Enge, Jason Saxon, Jeremy Thornton, Meridian Cyber Solutions, Mill Valley Services, MT Framing and Willow Camp Catering.
My first exhibition Images from an Awakening Heart This event came about after working 38 years and successfully retiring from the financial services industry. It was not in my retirement plan to be faced with open heart surgery 3 years ago, but the anticipation of that surgery and what followed afterwards, brought me to the contemplation of what was meaningful to me and what was truly close to my heart. My family and friends, as well as my love for travel, were in my heart. I pondered what changes and paths were needed to make my heart grow. I had always had a love for photography, and in expanding my knowledge, I found more beauty and meaning in my photographs. That led to my seeing more detail and meaningfulness in life. So photography has become somewhat of a metaphor for how I see more now - not only in what I can bring forth in a photograph, but in life itself. It has resulted in my spiritual journey through the lens of a camera. I am mostly self-taught with classes and workshops with professionals. I sought the technical side of communicating my passion through images with understanding more of the intricacies of camera equipment, the chemical and digital darkroom. The camera is also my teacher. It has taught me to observe more than what is seen in a glance. The captured image enables the eye to see details missed in the viewfinder as the eye is scanning the subject for composition, focus and light. A photograph stops time and movement and we can see all of what was in that moment. It enables us to appreciate the exquisite beauty that constantly surrounds us. It is also my experience to photograph my family reunions where a handshake, a dog eating from a plate, children trying to catch rabbits or seeing marine life on the beach, brings me back to the fondest of memories. Then by sharing that brief moment in time, I could communicate in ways that would touch hearts between others and myself creating an intimacy between us. A picture is worth a thousand words. Photography has been an evolutional experience for me. My skill has grown as I have grown. Photography is my art, and as an artist I have deep appreciation for all that nature and man create. Whether it is a sunset, a field of flowers, a suspension bridge, a sculpture, the pure presence and innocence in a child’s face, or a family in the joy of reunion, my lens captures the moment. My joy is to share that moment with others. Why do I do this? To give a renewed focus to my life, to expand awareness, to see detail otherwise missed, to record a snapshot of time, to offer images that stir me, to live in fuller disclosure of what is meaningful and how what is seen through a lens can touch, grow and even heal the heart. Launching the photographic work for exhibition is the result of the support of many friends, as well as my family. I began sharing what I saw and loved with others, and they responded. The exhibition is a selection of how my eyes have seen beauty and what the camera recorded. To Ditte Marcher for giving birth to the idea of this exhibition. To Annita Gibson who managed and executed all the arrangements and production of this event along with her support, encouragement and technical skills. Without her assistance this exhibition would not have been possible. To Pauchi Sasaki for her encouragement and support. To Barbara Courtney for being a great friend, an inspirational support and believer in The Artist that resides in me. To Gina Van Dicken for all of her assistance in countless areas of my life. To my close community of friends and loved ones who continue to make a difference in my life and help my heart to grow. And my grateful thanks for the love and support from my family for encouraging me to express my own awakening and opening heart through photography.