Biography

Chuck Kelton makes chemograms and photograms inside the darkroom; transforming light, chemistry and paper into abstract landscapes. Both chemograms and photograms are made without the use of cameras or negatives, rendering each print entirely unique. The image in a photogram is the result of exposing photographic paper to light—writing with light. Whereas the image in a chemogram is the outcome of exposing photographic paper to developer and fixer—writing with chemistry. Kelton's gold chloride and selenium toned chemograms coax a surprising palette of fiery oranges and lush violets from gelatin silver paper. In a smaller suite of work, Kelton combines chemogram and photogram techniques; the shift marked with a cracked, folded horizon line separating swirling tones from smooth, matte black. Kelton's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications and is in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston; Bibliothéque nationale de France; Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, Florida; International Center of Photography, New York; and New York Public Library. The artist lives and works in Jersey City, NJ.