Landscapes Without Figures, The American South West by Ian R. Mitchell

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Landscapes Without Figures, The American South West by Ian R. Mitchell

‘Landscapes without Figures’ shows a selection of 36 from the thousands of images Ian has taken of the American South West over a period of two decades, on almost yearly visits. It is an area whose natural landscape is a delight to any photographer and where the light, especially in winter when I tend to visit, is razor-sharp. As well as the undisputed states of Nevada,

Utah Bryce Canyon

Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, my personal South-West includes Far West Texas and Far East California, both of which share the key aspects of southwestern life. This is a desert and semi desert area, interrupted by mountain ranges. In addition to the farmers, cowboys and miners who came here in the last two centuries, the culture of the South West has much older and still very strong Hispanic and Native American components.

Arizona a store and gas station

As well as its natural landscape the region has a magnetic historical landscape, the Gothic relics presented by the great number of abandoned human constructs in an area where the traditional industries of mining and farming are in steep decline. Because of the dry climate, the remains of mines, of farms and of other buildings endure far longer than elsewhere, evoking a bittersweet atmosphere of impermanence.