Parrish to present French photgrapher's first American solo show

Jean Luc Mylayne will present his first solo exhibition at an American museum at the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton from Sunday, June 28, to September 20. The show, curated by Parrish Director Terrie Sultan, will bring together 22 large-scale color photographs of bluebirds, hummingbirds, juncos, and other species, all taken in western Texas from 2004 to 2007.

Mr. Mylayne is by no means a conventional wildlife photographer. His artistic practice is deeply rooted in a highly personal, almost metaphysical approach to image-making, aligned with an existential exploration of nature, time, and humanity’s impact on the environment.

He and his wife, Myléne, have traveled throughout Europe and the United States, at times spending months, even years, in search of his chosen subjects. “We sold everything to begin the project,” he said. “We bought the photographic equipment, and we went to work, and for years we worked together, all alone, without really talking to anyone.”

In 2004, their nomadic existence led them to Fort Davis in West Texas. Nestled in the scrubby landscape of the Davis Mountains, the town is both a stopping place for people and a way station on the migration routes of animals and birds, specifically eastern, western, and mountain bluebirds.

“Since I was 10 years old, I knew that I would come here for the bluebirds. I looked for a long, long time to find the place to see all three species at the same time,” Mr. Mylayne said of Texas.

He spent six months a year for the next three years patiently pursuing his subjects, and the results comprise the new exhibition at the Parrish.

As part of an exhibition preview, Ms. Sultan will give an illustrated lecture about Mr. Mylayne’s work on Saturday, June 27, at 6 p.m. in the museum’s concert hall. Mr. and Mrs. Mylayne will be present to answer questions from the audience. A reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres will follow.

Admission to the lecture and reception is $7, or free for Parrish members. Reservations are required to secure a seat at the lecture. For more information, call 283-2118, ext. 49.

The museum has also planned several additional programs and workshops in conjunction with the exhibition.

“Birds of the East End,” a two-part program organized by the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society, will feature an “Introduction to Birding” lecture in the museum’s concert hall on Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m., and a field trip to Dune Road in Westhampton Beach on Sunday, July 26, at 8:30 a.m. The fee for both programs is $20, or $15 for Parrish members.

Alicia Longwell will also present four illustrated talks on “The Artist in Nature” as part of the museum’s “Fridays at Noon” program. The talks will be offered in the museum’s concert hall at noon on July 31, August 7, August 21, and August 28, and are free with museum admission.

“Advanced En Plein Air Painting,” a workshop with Terry Elkins, will be offered daily from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“Changing Light: Beginning and Intermediate En Plein Air Painting” a workshop with Cynthia Knott, will consist of five painting sessions at a single location at different times of day. These classes are scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, through Friday, August 7, and Monday, August 10.

Both workshops will cost $400, or $350 for Parrish members. Registration is required. For more information, call 283-2118, ext. 21, or visit www.parrishart.org.