Bruce Katsiff in the studio
Artist Statement
I have been making photographs for more than fifty years, having first developed a serious interest in the medium in high school. Photography seduces me with its satisfying mixture of art and technology. I love the photograph’s ability to present vast amounts of visual information with the precision and clarity unique to a lens image. Over the years, photography has served as my personal “psychiatrist,” a private tool to help me understand and interact with the world. My pictures are always personal. They explore changing issues that, at their best, mix together, ideas from my conscious and unconscious mind. Driven by my active curiosity, I have delved into a wide range of subjects and a diverse collection of technical materials. I am compelled to photograph subject matter that is challenging and uncomfortable, rejecting the ever-present temptation to make “pretty pictures.” My hope is that my photographs will offer the viewer images that are unique and impactful, even if they may at times be disturbing.
EDUCATION
Oxford University, Post Graduate Studies at Kings College 1985
Pratt Institute, NY. NY. M.F.A. Degree 1973
Rochester Institute of Technology, B.F.A. Degree 1968
Central High School, Philadelphia 1963
Delaware Valley University, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 2010
EXHIBITIONS
One and Two Person Exhibitions
Allegheny College, Bowman Gallery, Meadville, PA 1984
Booktrader Gallery, Philadelphia PA 1987
Delaware Art Museum, Willington DE 2015
Hicks Art Center, Newtown PA. 1990
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville FL 1988
Krasdale Gallery, White Plains, NY 1999
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1988
Monsoon Gallery, Bethlehem, PA 2005
Perks Gallery, New Hope, PA 1978
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia 1990
Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia PA 1971
Photographer's Eye Gallery, Philadelphia PA 1977
Pittsburgh Filmmakers Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA 1989
Pratt Institute, New York, NY 1973
River Run Gallery, Lambertville NJ 2005
Riverside Gallery, Rochester. N.Y. 1967
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY. 1969
Trenton City Museum, Trenton NJ. 2017
Underground Gallery, New York, NY. 1971
Washington Center for Photography, Wash. D.C. 1993
Group Exhibitions
Allentown Art Museum, Allentown PA. "Pennsylvania Photographers II" 1983
Allentown Art Museum, Allentown PA. "Pennsylvania PhotographersV" 1987
American Arts Center, Exeter, England "American Photographers" 1970
Bucks County Art Alliance, Lahaska PA 1977
Bucks County Community College, Newtown PA “Tres Emerti” 1998
Bucks County Community College, Newtown PA. "Past and Present" 1983
Bucks County Library Center, "The Art of Photography" 1989
Cigna Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. "Philadelphia Photographers" 1986
Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA “Recent Acquisitions” 2003
George Eastman House, Rochester. NY. "Vision and Expression" 1969
James A. Michener Art Museum, PA “Modern Photography in the Delaware Valley” 2021
Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont PA. "Lost/Found Objects" 1987
Legacy Gallery, Newtown PA "Contemporary Photographers" 1997
Museum of Modern Art, New York NY. "Photography as Printmaking" 1968
Payne Gallery, Moravian College, "Alternative Visions" 1989
Pennsylvania Academy Fine Arts, Philadelphia PA "164th Printmaking and Drawing Exhibition" 1968
Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia PA. "Four Person Exhibition" 1972
Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia PA "Vision and Expression" 1970
Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia PA “Whitman Alabama” 2020
Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia PA “Recent Acquisitions” 2021
Rodman House, Doylestown PA. "Four Person Exhibition" 1982
Santa Bannon Gallery, Easton PA “Group Exhibition” 2002
Santa Fe Photography Center, Santa Fe N.M. "Ironworks 88" 1988
State Capital, Harrisburg PA. "Lehigh University Collection" 1990
Stover Mill Gallery, Erwinna PA. "Group Exhibition" 1975
Tianjin Institute, Tianjin China, "American Photographers" 1987
The Print Club, Philadelphia PA. "Annual Exhibition" 1981
Woodmere Art Museum,“Central High School Alumni Exhibition” 2002
Woodmere Art Museum, “78th Woodmere Annual Exhibition” 1986
Woodmere Art Museum, “Recent Acquisitions” 2021
Works In Museum Collections
Allentown Art Museum, Berman Art Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Erie Art Museum, Everhart Museum, James A. Michener Art Museum, Lehigh University Museum, Mercer Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Princeton University Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Woodmere Art Museum