Nelson Armour: The Art of Viewing… Art

When viewing and thinking about art, people react both emotionally and intellectually. Nelson Armour's series underscores these responses by taking you from a specific reality to an abstracted setting. The viewer moves from the everyday details of life and is transported to a new place – the world of the heart or mind. The Art of Viewing…Art explores both the way people interact with art and the way art is created.

In this series, Armour considers ways to portray people's interaction with art. Fascinated by observing and photographing people in art galleries and museums, his approach separates the immediate environment from the people and the art itself. Visitors seem to float in space while viewing the art, talking with each other, taking selfies and photographing their museum or gallery visit. At times the interactions are private and contemplative while at other moments the dynamics are open and public.

Nelson Armour's photography includes landscapes, environmental portraits, social documentary and constructed works. His work has been shown locally, nationally and internationally; and has appeared in numerous publications. Armour helped form Artists for Action Chicago, a group of area artists who stand for progressive values.