Mephisto by Gary Sheppard - Capture magazine

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Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

Exploring the alluring intricacies of liquid, this series offers a glimpse in to the places and creatures from Mephisto’s world. A universe of clouds and swirls is created through a process of pouring and mixing inks, dyes and varnishes in water. The images are mirrored to yield intriguing, symmetrical results depending on how each scene is inverted and overlapped.

Artist's Statement

Liquids.
They form an essential part of our everyday lives.
We value them for their utility but in our busy world it’s easy to overlook their beauty.
Mix two liquids together and they’ll churn and drift in ways that are unique each time.
In a classic example of chaos theory, tiny changes in currents and densities mean that no two patterns are ever exactly the same.

Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

Each tilt of the container pouring a dye or squeeze of an ink filled eye dropper results in a miniature universe of clouds and swirls.
They change and evolve with each passing second.
The attraction of this to a photographer is that you know that with every exposure you have created something that is unique.
That exact, momentary arrangement of colours and shapes has never existed before and will never exist again.

Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

This series of images results from a continuing exploration of that process.
I’m sure many people have seen shots of ink and dye dropped into water but I wanted to explore a bit further than that.
To push the boundaries to something I hadn’t seen done previously.
Lots of experimentation finally came together with my decision to mirror the images.
I found that depending on how each image is inverted and overlapped, the resultant combination would yield intriguing, symmetrical results.

Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

There’s something about human psychology that compels us to identify patterns and the symmetry engendered by flipping a photo is irresistible to our pattern-seeking minds.
As I was experimenting with this technique over many shots a theme started to develop.
The swirls and undulations led me through a journey of discovery and I began seeing outlines and contours that resembled flames and creatures and faces that peered out from billowing clouds.

Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

Gradually a narrative emerged that reminded me of the legend of Mephisto.
He was Lucifer’s “fixer” and “scatterer and disperser of lies”.
Seducing with offers that are at first glance alluring and beautiful but to the wise bear closer inspection.
Through this exhibition I’ve attempted to offer a glimpse into some of the places and creatures from Mephisto’s world.
Much like a Rorschach test, what you perceive in these photos will be a reflection of the way your mind views the world.
Just as every photo is unique, each person’s interpretation of that scene will be distinct to them.

Mephisto by Gary Sheppard

This work is on show at Sydney's Black Eye gallery from 7 – 26 March.

About Gary Sheppard

Gary Shepherd is a photographer based in Sydney, Australia and working mainly throughout Australasia. With over 30 years photographic experience, the majority of Sheppard's work is involved with advertising campaigns for national and international distribution. He has won awards at Cannes, One Show, D&AD, Communications Arts, London International, Folio and AWARD shows, and is an AIPP Master of Photography.