James Henkel

Cynosure

September 27 – November 9, 2024

still life of dried weeds in a vertical composition

James Henkel

Standing Weeds, 2023

Archival Pigment Print

30h x 22w in
76.20h x 55.88w cm

Framed: 31 1/4h x 25 1/4w in
79.38h x 64.14w cm

Edition of 3

JHe_119

Still life photograph of flowers on spindle

James Henkel

Arrangement for Tulips, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_097

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Falling Flowers, 2024

Archival pigment print

30h x 24w in
76.20h x 60.96w cm

Framed: 31 1/4h x 25 1/4w in
79.38h x 64.14w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_109

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Gomphrena, 2024

Archival pigment print

30h x 24w in
76.20h x 60.96w cm

Framed: 31 1/4h x 25 1/4w in
79.38h x 64.14w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_110

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Ranunculus, 2024

Archival pigment print

30h x 24w in
76.20h x 60.96w cm

Framed: 31 1/4h x 25 1/4w in
79.38h x 64.14w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_111

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Arrangement with Seed Heads, 2023

Archival pigment print

24h x 30w in
60.96h x 76.20w cm

Framed: 31 1/4h x 25 1/4w in
79.38h x 64.14w cm

Edition of 3

JHe_114

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Garlic and Roses, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in
55.88h x 43.18w cm

Framed: 23 1/4h x 18 1/8w in
59.06h x 46.04w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_113

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

After Party, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_095

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

A Bundle of Asparagus (after Manet), 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in
55.88h x 43.18w cm

Framed: 23 1/4h x 18 1/8w in
59.06h x 46.04w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_108

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Standing Arrangement, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_104

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Amaranthus Vase, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_096

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Mixed Arrangement, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_102

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Wane, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_105

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Yellow Glad, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_107

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Double Dahlias, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_100

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Wisteria Pitcher, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_106

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Catkins, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_099

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Floral, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_101

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Roses, 2023

Archival pigment print

14h x 11w in
35.56h x 27.94w cm

Framed: 15 1/4h x 12 1/4w in
38.74h x 31.12w cm

JHe_115

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Sunflowers and Coffee, 2023

Archival pigment print

14h x 11w in
35.56h x 27.94w cm

Framed: 15 1/4h x 12 1/4w in
38.74h x 31.12w cm

JHe_116

Still life photograph of flowers

James Henkel

Mums, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in; Edition of 5

30h x 24w in; Edition of 3

JHe_103

Still life floral arrangement by James Henkel

James Henkel

Teapot and Grapes, 2023

Archival pigment print

14h x 11w in
35.56h x 27.94w cm

Framed: 15 1/4h x 12 1/4w in
38.74h x 31.12w cm

JHe_117

Press Release

Tracey Morgan Gallery is pleased to present our third solo exhibition of photographer James Henkel. Please join us for a Reception for the Artist on Friday, October 4, 6-8PM.

Exploring new interpretations of the time-honored tradition of still life photography, Henkel’s color and black & white images subvert accepted ideas of classical floral art arrangements from both Eastern (Ikebana) and Western stylistic perspectives. A continuation of his ongoing interest in botanical forms, the new work included here shows decaying flowers alongside fresh ones, and weeds alongside cultivated blooms, as Henkel investigates culture’s shifting sense of beauty and the metrics by which that beauty is measured. 

The camera position and general simplicity of framing and point of view that Henkel employs take their cues from the direct approach often used by commercial photographers. However, while Henkel maintains a persistent commitment to aesthetic pleasures, he also embraces melancholia and the disruption of the preciousness of floral still-life imagery, allowing space for humor and the absurd.

James Henkel is Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He has exhibited in over one hundred national and international venues, including shows at the Teheran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran; SFMOMA; and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, among others. His work is in the collections of The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Walker Art Center, SFMOMA, and many others. He has been the recipient of grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Art, the Bush Foundations, the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Henkel lives and works in Asheville and Penland, North Carolina.