Photography Exhibition
The Harsh Desert opened with critical and popular acclaim in Palm Springs, California on February 2008 and was featured in the local news, both print and television. It was all very exciting for everyone involved. Sure, I missed it due my being in the Philippines conducting training, but it does not take away from the sense of accomplishment I felt being able to exhibit my work.
Promotional art used to promote The Harsh Desert. Design by Jayel Aheram.
I finally had the chance to see first-hand how a solo exhibition is set up during the exhibition’s encore presentation. There is quite a bit of work involved, not including media interviews and many, many emails and phone calls. The hardest part is the interaction with exhibition viewers and answering questions they might have of a particular photograph or general questions about my experiences in Iraq. What I do find interesting is that people often are under the impression that 1) I am not a Marine or 2) if I am, I am no longer actively serving, or 3) if I am serving, I am a combat cameraman.
An exhibition goer viewing Jayel Aheram’s photography.
Either way, I am grateful to have had this opportunity. It is an experience and one I will always cherish.