Walters State will host John May’s “Judgmental Ink” photography exhibit in the Catron Gallery July 10-Oct. 27.
This exhibit features photos of tattoos and portraits of people. Exhibit viewers are tasked with matching each person with the correct tattoo.
“I am documenting people with ‘ink,’ making their portrait and taking a photo of their favorite tattoo,” said May, an adjunct faculty member at Walters State. “A large monochromatic portrait will be hung with small color images of tattoos. The viewer must guess which one belongs to the owner.”
“My goal is for viewers to relinquish their judgmental opinion quickly,” said May.
May holds a master of fine arts in photography from East Tennessee State University. He earned a bachelor of arts in photography from Lincoln Memorial University and completed the Army Advanced Photojournalism Course at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
He has never completely ended his education, as professional development activities include workshops in Maine, Hawaii and Pennsylvania.
May has been featured in many exhibits, including the ongoing “Looking at Appalachia” at West Virginia University. Other exhibits include “Knoxville Photo 2021” at the Emporium Center; “Our Appalachia: Community & Innovations” at East Tennessee State University; and “Arts in the Airport” at McGee Tyson Airport.
He has taught photography and art at Walters State for over 15 years. He has also taught at Pellissippi State Community College and at the Arrowmont School for the Arts and Crafts.
Admission to the Catron Gallery is free. The gallery is located inside the R. Jack Fishman Library on the college’s Morristown Campus. The gallery is open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
