Strangers' portraits and stories
"Much of my work has been capturing and celebrating everyday moments in people's lives around us. But most of those people passed me by and never knew how their image inspired me. I had almost no interaction with them. I wanted to do something different in this collection. I wanted to be a part of these people's moments. Not just be a voyeur. I wanted to form a connection."
EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY: May 15th through 30th by appointment only
Opening reception: May 15th 4-10pm
A series of portrait paintings of strangers. Prentiss asks strangers to pose while answering 10 somewhat personal questions. Stories and audio of their answers accompany the paintings.
The questions start out fairly benign and get more personal and vulnerable as we go along.
1. What were you doing when I approached you?
2. Did you have a favorite pet? If so, why were they your favorite?
3. If you could snap your fingers and travel to any location on earth right now, where would you go and what’s the first thing you’d do?
4. Where were you when you felt safest and why?
5. When did you last speak to your mother and how was the conversation overall?
6. What does the word “home” mean to you?
7. Imagine you’re 90 years old and nearing death. What’s something you expect you’ll regret?
8. Can you share when you last had sex and if it was a good experience?(On two occasions, I replaced this question with: When were you most afraid and what did you learn from that experience?)
9. What are you most looking forward to in the next 48 hours?
10. What would you like to know about me?
Prentiss is a painter and writer living with his dog Boone in a little old house in South Austin. His first book, “An All New Light,” was released in 2019.
Website: www.prentissdouthit.com