For decades, New York City has been a place for artists, dreamers, families full of hope, and those still stumbling to find their way. Photographer Peter Liepke, whose work we discovered on Faith is Torment, wanted to capture the feeling of arriving in the city for the first time and the awe the landscape inspires. His series Above & Beyond, currently on view at Gallery 270 until January 17, might be his most personal yet:
After growing up in suburban Minnesota as an artist, like many before me, and many more who will continually arrive in NYC each day, we embrace the challenge of wanting to broaden our lives by moving into a bigger arena. For this series I wanted to go back and attempt to remember my feelings or first impressions upon arriving in NYC as an outsider for the first time well over twenty years ago.
What makes Liepke’s work so striking is his platinum/palladium and gum bichromate processing. The techniques add an otherworldly feeling to a city that embraces so many different people every day.
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke
Photo credit: Peter Liepke