A resident of St. Paul, Chris Faust is one of Minnesota’s finest photographers. Faust marks the essence of the changing Midwestern landscape by documenting common scenes in an uncommon way. Known for his spectacular panoramic work, Faust is also increasingly admired for his unique nighttime photographs, in which he quietly unveils a world when the darkest hours evoke a mood of mystery and surrealism. The palette of light and shadow heightens the senses by revealing the stillness and ambiguities of the landscape. His award-winning images are widely collected and exhibited throughout the region and the country.

Joan Rothfuss is a writer and art historian and was curator of the Walker Art Center for more than seventeen years. She was co-editor of the Walker collection catalogue, Bits & Pieces Put Together to Present a Semblance of a Whole.

Artist Statement:
Nocturnes, a beautiful collection of more than 70 tri-tone photographs, is a visual record of our world as few ever see it: during the nighttime hours. Emphasizing the passage of time as well as the necessity for change, the images reflect the disappearing rural terrain, abandoned urban streets, and aging industrial spaces, recalling aspects of our culture that are quickly fading into the past.

With an affinity for certain old-world practices and tools, Faust works only with ambient light and uses no digital nor electronic technology—only classic darkroom processing—to allow all of the subtle textures and tones to emerge in his work. His photographs of the Midwest are shot in a panoramic format with wide, detailed images that are spectacular in both their artistry and documentary impact.