How does where you live influence who you are? Exploring this, Perspective  Gallery’s October show, “The Power of Place: Geographical Memories and  Identity,” features two new series of work by artists Susan Isaacson and Katsy Johnson. Stylistically, Isaacson’s black-and-white, “At Silver Lake” images, and Johnson’s “Second City DNA” mixed media pop pieces are very different bodies of work. But both series invite viewers to reflect on the  deep connections between personal history, memory and the environments that shape us.

Delving into the space between memory and imagination, Isaacson’s, “At Silver Lake” began as  an exploration of personal photographic archives—images that evoked the sense of wonder and  curiosity Isaacson experienced growing up along the shores of her family lake home. While re photographing vintage slides, Isaacson invited refracted light, environmental intrusions, and focal  plane shifts to transform the images. 

Meanwhile, Johnson's, “Second City DNA,” is an exploration of identity and memory, through the lens of a southern transplant. Johnson moved to Chicagoland 30 years ago and “Second City DNA” reflects on her adopted identity in unique multi-media pieces that blend photographs, acrylic paint and charcoal.

Image: Susan Isaacson, At Silver Lake 19