Resilient: Defining Alaskans through Landscape
Low Tide Towards Dghelshia (Susitna) | Archival Pigment Print on Canson Baryta Photographique
The UAF College of Liberal Arts is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Assistant Professor of Photography, J. Jason Lazarus, whose latest exhibition "Resilient" is currently captivating audiences at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art (IGCA) in Anchorage. This deeply evocative series offers an intimate look at Alaska’s landscapes, reframing them as reflections of the strength and stoicism that define the state’s residents.
Lazarus, a dedicated photographic educator at UAF since 2005, is known for exploring narratives that connect collective memory, identity, and history. "Resilient" continues this tradition, blending a personal artistic journey with themes that resonate deeply with Alaskans. Focusing on landscapes from the Anchorage, Turnagain, and Cook Inlet regions, the series transforms the often-overlooked and harsh environments of Alaska’s long winters into emblems of perseverance and beauty.
Resilience Through a Northern Lens
In "Resilient", Lazarus seeks to redefine the way we perceive Alaska’s natural surroundings. He challenges the romanticized, postcard-perfect depictions of the state, presenting instead a raw and authentic view that mirrors the lives of its people. “Summed up in one word, Alaskans are Resilient,” Lazarus explains in his artist statement. “A product of our harsh climes, we have been shaped by our surroundings and carry with us a stoic nature that is reflected in the place we call home.”
Through his lens, the somber and subdued landscapes become metaphors for character traits valued in the North—tenacity, humility, and a quiet strength. The work also addresses the psychological challenges faced by many Alaskans, particularly during the extended darkness of winter. By inviting viewers to “see the beauty in the mundane,” "Resilient" offers a visual balm for seasonal affective disorder, isolation, and anxiety.
Ransacked Forest, Elliot Highway | Archival Pigment Print on Canson Baryta Photographique
Lazarus elaborates, “Most folks are shocked to find out that almost all these images were taken from the shoulder of a highway, and I hope this encourages them to take more time to appreciate the small things the next time they travel within our fascinating state.”
Connecting Art, Place, and People
"Resilient" also highlights the intrinsic connection between art and science, a relationship UAF’s liberal arts programs continually explore. The exhibit not only reflects a deep understanding of the natural world but also serves as a tool for fostering mental health—a concern often studied through scientific and psychological lenses. Lazarus’s work encourages viewers to think critically about their relationship with the environment, highlighting how individuals are shaped by their environment and how art can foster mental health and well-being.
By framing Alaska’s landscapes as symbols of resilience, the series invites parallels between the challenges of surviving in extreme climates and the adaptive qualities of ecosystems and human communities alike. This interplay of art and science underscores the relevance of the humanities in addressing complex, interdisciplinary issues.
For those inspired to explore this unique body of work, "Resilient" offers more than just striking imagery; it’s an invitation to reflect on the essence of life in Alaska and the beauty found in even the harshest landscapes. As Lazarus notes, exhibitions like these create a space for artists and audiences to connect by sharing "with a much broader audience than the cadre of friends, fellow artists, and professionals they might consult while developing an important body of work. Seeing how the general public reacts to work they've never seen before truly gauges your effectiveness at conveying whatever message you intend to,” he says, “but it also reveals what direction the work should continue in if you're still developing it.”
IGCA: Where Art and Community Meet
Resilient opening reception
The International Gallery of Contemporary Art (IGCA) serves as a fitting venue for "Resilient." Situated at 427 D Street in downtown Anchorage, IGCA is a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant art scene. Known for hosting thought-provoking exhibitions, IGCA provides a platform for artists to challenge conventions and explore experimental ideas. The gallery’s commitment to fostering dialogue and discovery aligns perfectly with Lazarus’s approach to storytelling through photography.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this stunning celebration of Alaska’s landscapes and the resilient spirit of its people. "Resilient" is on display in IGCA’s North Gallery, open Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. Head there before November 29th and let the stark beauty of Lazarus’s vision inspire you to see Alaska—and yourself—in a whole new light.
Select Images from "Resilient: Defining Alaskans through Landscape"
Artist Statement
Alaska.
Towering glaciers, noble peaks, enchanting flora and plentiful fauna — all of these have been rendered in the idyllic perfection of a trillion photographs over the years.
Captured in the silver grains and digital pixels that shape our collective memories, these representations often fall short of truly conveying what Alaska is — they fail to define what Alaska means to Alaskans.
Shaped by their surroundings, Alaskans are a curious bunch, often taking pride in character traits that, to the outsider, seem unflattering. Old timers take pride in their tenacious and stubborn nature by being called Sourdoughs, while Cheechako newcomers are harshly mocked for their failures, yet strangely encouraged to persevere.
Our jargon-laden existence divides real Alaska (The Bush) from a more pedestrian lifestyle in the Lower 48 (the contiguous US). Our Breakup relates to a fifth season before Spring and Termination Dust signals the onset of winter.
Summed up in one word, Alaskans are Resilient. A product of our harsh climes, we have been shaped by our surroundings and carry with us a stoic nature that is reflected in the place we call home. For many of its people, Alaska’s lonely landscapes, unwelcoming frigid tundra and tumultuous winter weather reflects its true beauty in a way no sublimely captured landscape could. This work intends to capture that deep connection and our unwavering character traits through our surroundings, showing a rarified Alaska for Alaskans.
To see more, visit J. Jason Lazarus' website.
About the Artist
J. Jason Lazarus is an Alaska-based photographic educator who has taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 2005. His narrative-driven work discusses and critiques elements of our society’s collective memory, identity, and history through a mix of handmade, analog, and digital processes. His alternative process work ranges from abstract Chemigram prints that discuss the complex historical legacy left behind by World War II, to darkroom-printed Mordançages that question our stewardship in the American West, where the landscape is decaying under the pressures of resource development, economic failures and climate change.
Lazarus also spends the lengthy, dimly-lit winter months in Alaska creating unique portraits of its fragile tundra, finding an uncanny beauty among its bleak northern latitudes, as seen in his series "Resilient.
Lazarus has exhibited his work at the Museum of the North (Fairbanks, Ak.), Portland’s Blue Sky Gallery, New York’s SoHo Photo, the Bathhouse Cultural Center (Dallas, Tx), Vermont’s Photoplace Gallery, and the Center for Fine Art Photography (Fort Collins, Co.), among many others. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at institutions of higher learning including Millikin University, University of La Verne, Oregon State University, University of Wyoming, and Black Hills State University. His work was selected for participation in the 2021 Pingyao International Photography Exhibition in China and the 2017 PhotoLA Art Fair in Los Angeles. Lazarus’ work has been recently published in Analog Forever Magazine, Seities, and the Hand Magazine, along with being featured and interviewed by Petapixel and Catalyst Interviews.
