Artist Bio
Caitlin Garvey (b. 1970, Brooklyn, New York) is a Virginia-based photographer whose work explores the themes of identity and relationship. Drawing inspiration from the Shenandoah Valley where she resides, her art often utilizes nature as a metaphor to explore the concepts of self and belonging, while in relationship with one’s community and environment.
Garvey received a B.A. in journalism, a M.A. in English literature, a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law, and an L.L.M in international law from American University. She has worked as an attorney, a librarian, a historical interpreter and a teacher. Her work has been widely shown in galleries including juried shows at the Museum of the Shenandoah, Athenaeum Gallery, Darkroom, 1650 Gallery, the Art League, the Valley Educational Center for the Creative Arts, Muse Winery, and the Falls Church Arts Center. Her art has been featured by the “Mountain Courier”, the Tiny Seed Literary Journal, Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America, the Gardener’s of America, and the American Horticultural Society. She was the featured artist in the “Mass on the Epiphany in Creation, A Eucharist Drawing on the Poetry of Mary Oliver'' where her images were projected on the walls of St. Aidan’s Epsicoal Church accompanied by the poetry of Mary Oliver and the words of the mass. Among her honors, Garvey was listed as a “Must See” exhibit for the Climate Arts Beat Calendar in 2023 and 2024, was awarded a Bronze Award by J. Mane Gallery, earned “Honorable Mention” at the Moscow International Foto awards and also at the Neutral Density Photography Awards and “Best in Show '' and the “People’s Choice” awards in a juried show at the Valley Educational Center for the Creative Arts. Most recently, she was honored to have her work included in the Woodstock Banner project, received 1st Place in the Photography Show at the Valley Educational Center for the Creative Arts, had a 2-person exhibit at Muse Vineyards in Virginia, and is a featured artist at Fox Meadow Winery.
Artist Statement
My work speaks to what it means to be human and humanity’s role in and to the world around it. We all seek to be at home in ourselves and desire a sense of belonging amidst our community and environment. My art often focuses on nature as a means to explore these concepts, as the natural world well illustrates that what first seems simple is often not simple at all. My art ranges from sweeping vistas to delicate blossoms and acknowledges the unsettled awkwardness of what it means to be human, desiring to be grounded in ourselves while striving for something beyond. I am fascinated by the sheepish gaze between brothers, the morning sun greeting the dirt-speckled cabbage, or the way a single toe of a chicken determinedly wraps around a fence rail. The incongruity of deep, universal truths hiding behind the seemingly simple or obvious inspires me. Nature is a vehicle to explore these concepts, as the natural world illustrates that what first seems simple is often not simple at all. The incongruity of deep, universal truths hiding behind the simple or obvious inspires me.
I recognize that identity is often tied into things not immediately visible, which lends itself well to my use of infrared photography since infrared captures light invisible to the human eye. Finished images often reveal features that were not initially visible. What first appears in my camera as a hazy, red image is transformed into a detailed study subtly shaded with colors that reveal themselves as the creative process progresses in the studio. Infrared serves as a metaphor for how the concept of self is connected to nature, and from that literal grounding, further discoveries of identity and community can flourish.
These days, I wryly refer to myself as a subversive eco-spiritual artist. I create work that addresses relationships (to ourselves, our community and also the divine) but I do so in a way that might, at first, just seem like a pretty picture. While my work might address issues of grief or climate change or the aging process, I also strive for my work to be deliberately subtle and relatable because people's initial response of responding positively to nature provides a doorway to greater awareness and understanding. People want to connect with themselves, each other, with nature and with God. If the start of that connection is just appreciating the beauty of nature in one of my images, that’s a good start.
Featured Exhibitions
“Petals Project,” Fox Meadow Winery, February 2024
“Shenandoah Journey,” Honoring the Future’s Winter 2024 Climate Art Beat calendar
Two-Person Exhibition, “Journeys: Shenandoah and Beyond”, Muse Vineyard, November 2023
“Petals Project,” Honoring the Future’s Fall/Winter 2023 Climate Art Beat calendar
Solo Exhibition, “Mass on the Epiphany in Creation, A Eucharist Drawing on the Poetry of Mary Oliver,”
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia, January 12, 2020
Awards
Silver Award, “Shades of Green” exhibition, J. Mane Gallery, March 2024
Bronze Award, “Landscapes” exhibition, J. Mane Gallery, February 2024
1st place, Vecca “Photography” exhibition, June 2023
Honorable Mention, Neutral Density Photography Awards, November 2022
Honorable Mention, Moscow International Foto Awards, June 2022
1st place, Vecca “Photography” exhibition, June 2022
Best in Show, Vecca “Pastels” exhibition, April 2022
2nd Place, Vecca “Photography” exhibition, Vecca, June 2021
2nd Place, “Towns and Rural Places” exhibition, 1650 Gallery, November 2016
Best of Section, The Gardeners of America Photography Competition, 2015
1st place, Garden Views category, Washington Gardener Magazine 2015 Photo Contest
1st place, Vegetables category, The Gardeners of America Photography Competition, 2014
1st place, Landscapes Category, The Gardeners of America Photography Competition, 2014
1st place, Garden Views, Washington Gardener Magazine Photography Contest, 2013
Honorable Mention, “River to Well exhibition,” Signs of Life Gallery, November 2013
Finalist, Celebrate Fairfax Festival Photo Contest, 2013
Honorable Mention, Friends of Claude Moore Park Photography Expo, October 2013
3rd place, Friends of Claude Moore Park Photography Expo, October 2013
Public Collections
Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy, Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals
Custom Street Banners, Woodstock, Virginia, April 2023 - May 2027
Selected Juried Group Exhibitions
“Open Show”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, March 2024
“Images”, Group Juried Show, Falls Church Arts, February 2024
“Landscapes”, Group Juried Show, J. Mane Gallery, February 2024
“Blue”, Group Juried Show, ShenArts, Museum of the Shenandoah, October 2023
“Open Show”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, October 2023
“Open Show”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, September 2023
“Art on the Rocks”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, September 2023
“Woodstock, Virginia, Custom Street Banners Juried Competition”, April 2023 - May 2027
“Ripples and Reflections”, Group Juried Show, Muse Vineyards, August 2023
“Embody”, The Art League, August 2023
“Open Show”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, July 2023
“Landscapes”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, June 2023
“Open Show”, Group Juried Show, The Art League, July 2023
“Open Show” Group Juried Show, The Art League, April 2023
“Open Show” Group Juried Show, The Art League, March 2023
“Texture”, Group Juried Show, Falls Church Arts Gallery, March 2023
“Art in the Halls”, Group Juried Show, Museum of the Shenandoah, December 2022
“Museings”, Group Juried Show, Muse Vineyards, September 2022
“Potomac River Life” Group Juried Show, The Athenaeum Gallery, August 2022
“Black and White” Group Juried Show, Falls Church Arts Gallery, June 2022
“Landscapes” Group Juried Show, The Art League, June 2022
“Screen Dream” Group Juried Show, The Art League, April 2022
“Near and Far” Group Juried Show, Falls Church Arts Gallery, February 2022
“Nocturne” Group Juried Show, The Art League, January 2022
“Open Show” Group Juried Show, The Art League, December 2021
“Open Show” Group Juried Show, The Art League, November 2021
“Open Show” Group Juried Show, The Art League, October 2021
“Wine and Water”, Group Juried Show, Muse Winery, September 2021
“Landscapes” Group Juried Show, The Art League, June 2021
“Open Show,” Group Juried Show, The Art League, December 2020
“Feast,” Group Juried Show, The Art League, November 2020
“Towns and Rural Places,” Group Juried Show, 1650 Gallery, November 2016
“Culture,” Group Juried Show, Darkroom Gallery, March 2016
“Washington Gardener’s Magazine Annual Juried Show,” Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 2015
“Feast,” Group Juried Show, Darkroom Gallery, November 2013
“Washington Gardener’s Magazine Annual Juried Show,” Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 2013
“River to Well,” Group Juried Show, Signs of Life Gallery, November 2013
Selected Publications
Featured Artist, “Just Because” Postcard, February 2024
“Wreaths Across America”, Northern Virginia Daily Newspaper, December 18, 2023
“A Sense of Autumn” and “Towards Great North Mountain” in the “Mountain Courier”, January 2023
“The Tiny Seed Journal”, June 2022
“The Frederick Cross,” The Hammer’s Blow: Journal of ABANA, Spring 2020
“Williamsburg Cottage,” The Gardeners of America 2020 Calendar
“Spring Green” and “Orange Queen,” The Gardeners of America 2018 Calendar
“Yellow Cosmos” and “Moth,” The Gardeners of America 2017 Calendar
“Butterfly Study,” Mount Vernon Gazette, November 2013
“Helping Hands,” Membership Brochure, The American Horticultural Society, 2013-2014
“Tulips” and “Yellow Tulips,” The Gardeners of America 2014 Calendar
“Crocus,” The Gardeners of America 2013 Calendar
Represented By
Gallery 75, Alexandria, VA