JoAnne Artman Gallery is pleased to present Happy accidents, a collection of previously unexhibited photographs by Brooke Shaden. Titled for unexpected good that follows mishap, the exhibition reflects on Shaden’s evolution in both her artistry and life.

Blending nature and grief, Shaden’s work explores the unsettling corners of the mind with images that are emotionally intelligent, chillingly direct, and visually haunting. Inspired by a childhood of intense fears, and later by the hard-won lessons of learning to say goodbye to her foster children, Shaden’s photographs elicit hope while never shying away from darkness.

Many of Shaden’s images are created on location. Immersing herself in nature and integrating the Northern Arizona landscape has become essential to her process. Her practice is largely solitary self-portraiture, allowing herself to be the character and the creator at once. The impactful compositions are created through color, scale, and perspective adjustments. Building the final image through digital editing, Shaden represents the breathtaking visuals attainable through a fine-tuned manipulation of the photography medium. The result are scenes that resemble paintings and speak of an era that is not our own.

Guided by the belief that embracing transient moments leads to fulfillment, much of Shaden’s imagery focuses on how we can find beauty in grief by learning to release our attachments. Featuring both recently completed and archived pieces, Happy Accidents navigates the challenging themes of life, death, identity, and transformation through an unanticipated, optimistic lens.