Darren Henkel

I am a recording instrument... I do not presume to impose "story", "plot", "continuity"... Insofar as I succeed in Direct recording of certain areas of psychic process I may have limited function... I am not an entertainer.

WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS

Beginning in the mid 1970's I began exploring photography as a medium that provided meaning and perspective to my surroundings and society at large. Much of the work has been guided by an interest in cycles—birth, growth, decay, and renewal. In that impermanence I find beauty, grace, and balance.

Over decades I have been viewing from various vantage points, including outdoor stewardship, historical interpretation, healthcare, and architectural design. This has honed my vision and deeply influenced the development of my craft.

My images tell stories related to the elemental world and built environment; ultimately focusing on the inevitable transition decay brings.

The myth of manifest destiny. Core to the tenant of Manifest Destiny was the idea that the land needed to be improved beyond its natural state. My work often examines how colonial land improvements led to exploitation and exhaustion of resources , resulting in the improvements being abandoned and reclaimed by the elements.

Many compositions in my recent work serve as meditation on the transient nature of existence, inviting viewers to confront the beauty of deterioration; emphasizing texture, color, and form to explore remnants of what was, inspiring contemplation and dialogue about our relationship with time and environment