Mark Rollins – East Bay Photographer’s August Exhibition

August 11, 2009 by Jim Walberg · Leave a Comment

Jim Walberg finally discovered the photographic art of East Bay’s Mark Rollins last week! A dear friend – Joan Diamond, and I were sharing lunch at the Lafayette Park Hotel’s Bistro last week. During our lunch Joan asked if I was attending the gallery show at Studio 333 in Sausalito August 22^nd of Mark’s latest photographic works. I let her know I was unaware of the show. (The photo to the left is “The Kiss!”)

I love art – all forms of art. Photography is one of my favorites. So, as Joan continued to describe the work that Mark is most noted for I became more intrigued to learn more. Here is what I discovered. First, a thought from Eric Lindsey taken from the introduction to Mark’s latest photography book – My Life And Art – and the photography of Mark Rollins.

“From the first image I saw, I knew instantly that he had ‘the talent’. But, who am I to tell you – you’ll see. Mark’s pictures are worth…Zero words. What his pictures are worth are a zillion vibrations of beauty and finely captured resonance of…Moment. The moment in the universe in which the picture called out – to be taken.” Eric Lindsey – March 2009

92 CloudsOverMatanuskaGlacier I made a point last week to meet with Mark and learn more about what makes him tick. This is what I discovered. Mark started taking pictures when he was seven, when an uncle gave him a Kodak Brownie camera. He shot the dog, the cat, his brother, friends, and family and home, and all those kinds of things. He was fascinated by those magical pieces of cardboard/paper that had all the light and dark and shadows recorded on them that came back from the camera store. Mark was raised in a family of scientists – both his parents were geophysicists, one uncle was a famous professor at Harvard, another the head surgeon at the Navy base in Anchorage, Alaska – and no one in his family seemed to be able to relate to his artistic interests. When he was ten and was allowed to build his first darkroom in the basement bathroom of his home, and he could actually watch the magical process of the images coming to life on the paper by developing and printing the images himself, he was absolutely hooked.

92 Mark Rollins 3 In spite of his love for photography he was encouraged to pursue a career in math and science. Shortly after graduating from college with degrees in math, physics, and psychology, he got a job as an assistant instructor teaching photography at NYU, and after a couple of years both there and teaching other classes at places like the New School for Social Research (as it was called then), Parsons School of Design, etc., he got a job as an Associate Professor of Art at Nassau Community College.

While he ended up teaching photography for 17 years, he did focus his professional career in the world of software development. However, on the side he would get professional photography assignments, such as the photos for publicity and album covers for the likes of Jimmy Hendrix, Mama Cass, Noel Redding, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, and model portfolios. During his career he ended up getting his doctorate in art 92 Golden Gate Bridge history from City University of New York.

A year and a half ago, Mark made a decision that has changed the entire course of his life. Starting on Valentine’s Day of 2008, he posted a “presentable picture” a day for at least one year. He has not missed a single day in over 18 months! This amazing body of work is what has created the book that is now published and his show at Studio 333 in Sausalito on August 22^nd from 6PM to 9PM. After viewing his work, it is a show not to be missed. Click here if you want more information. Until next time…your East Bay lifestyle detective remains on duty.