Seeing our relationships through the lens of Mother Nature

Co-owner of Chrome Hearts, photographer, and multi-media artist Laurie Lynn Stark held a photo exhibition, Buds 'N' Blooms, at the Omotesando Batsu Art Gallery, her first show in Japan. Laurie Lynn traveled to Japan for the show, and we were able to ask her about her themes and creative process.

"I've shot a lot of ad campaigns, so I think my reputation as a photographer was already fairly strong in Japan. I've done exhibits in other parts of the world, and there seemed to be a calling for me to show fine art in Japan, so that was the trigger that led me to use the photography medium as art for this show. The themes are based on flowers and females, the male body, and how I relate with them. With the nude female form in the photos, I felt some kind of connection between the essential purity in humans and the unadorned shape of the natural world. I wanted to express that in its most raw, natural state."

Laurie has found herself more and more interested in nature, and more specifically, through her travels, has begun to examine the relationship between people and nature. The feminine body is often associated with flowers, but Laurie likes to see the overlap with the masculine as well.

"To express what is feminine or what is masculine is a very delicate thing — not to mention capturing shape and personal traits — and it's hard to do. We think of the feminine as soft, sexual, nurturing, safe. The masculine is more outward-looking, magnanimous, strong. But no subject is the same when it comes to a person -- no person is the same, and their expressions are different from moment to moment. And with flowers too; even if they're the same variety of flower, each one is different. I strive to find a connection between the differences. I project the person as subject onto Nature."

Using the "endangered" medium of 8X10 film camera and photographing young girls, colorful celebrities, and family, Laurie Lynn closes in on the relationship between Nature and humans. Laurie personally designed the frames and created the layout that shows the beauty and strength of her subjects straight-on.

"What I like about 8X10 is that you can't know in advance how the picture is going to turn out. So there can be unpredictable 'accidents' that actually turn out to be good! The treatment and storage of the film is a very delicate process, but I really enjoy the unpredictability and the inability to fully control things. With all the social media these days, the focus is less on taking the picture and more about posting something. But I think, little by little, shooting with film is also becoming a trend. Lots of young artists are showing interest and I would be very happy if that wave gets stronger again."