Guardians by Andy Freeberg

One of the things I love about this blog is getting to share work that I really like.
Andy Freeberg is a photographer who has a fresh new take on the art world, both thru his Sentry and Guardian portfolios. I was at the Hermitage in 2005 with a tour group and found the guards at the museum to be captivating.

Andy also recognized the beauty of these women and created an amazing body of work after several trips to Russia.
HermitageRussian State Museum
Pushkin Museum
Here is Andy's artist statement
"In the art museums of Russia, women sit in the galleries and guard the collections. When you look at the paintings and sculptures, the presence of the women becomes an inherent part of viewing the artwork itself. I found the guards as intriguing to observe as the pieces they watch over. In conversation they told me how much they like being among Russia’s great art. A woman in Moscow’s State Tretyakov Gallery Museum said she often returns there on her day off to sit in front of a painting that reminds her of her childhood home. Another guard travels three hours each way to work, since at home she would just sit on her porch and complain about her illnesses, “as old women do.” She would rather be at the museum enjoying the people watching, surrounded by the history of her country."
The Guardians will be exhibited at the Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, Oregon from March 5-29th. He is also the winner of Photolucida's Critical Mass Award for 2008.
Old Tretyakov Gallery