Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Preller.
Hi Lauren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In the early 1990’s I moved to Charleston with my 2 young daughters. Being a self-taught professional photographer and artist, I was reestablishing myself in a new city. The project that launched my career as a photographer in Charleston was in a protest photography shoot that I did in response to a Supreme Court battle which was front page news in the Post & Courier.
The battle was over to allowing women to attend the all-male military college, The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. As a mother of 2 girls, I was appalled at the idea they could not attend any college they chose when they were of age. My outrage was not shared by most of the people I met in the city of Charleston.
Angered at the injustice, an idea came to mind that took on a life of its own. I decided I was going to photograph women in the revered Confederate Uniforms; the ultimate sacrilege in South Carolina. I was still a new Charleston resident, so I did not know many people, but I needed women, all ages and colors for my photograph.
There was a new women’s magazine called SKIRT! That was popular and very edgy for Charleston. I called and asked if I could place a Call to Women for a photographic project. They were very supportive of the arts and said yes.
I then found a Costume shop that have provided the uniforms for the movie “North and South” and bartered photography services for the uniforms. I put on a uniform and posed, cigar in hand, in front of the battered wall of Battery Gasden, on Sullivans Island, SC. I shot a self-portrait of myself in a Confederate uniform. I then sent my portrait to Skirt! . I added a call to women that said. “Looking for a few good women, athletic in stature and rebellious in spirit” with an address to send their photos and information. (This was pre-digital age) SKIRT! Magazine made it a courtesy full-page announcement. The response was amazing and I selected thirteen women ranging ages from 18 to 50 years old. My selection was based on how fit they looked and the common denominator was a strongly defined jaw.
I arranged an art opening and invited the President of the Citadel College and the Confederate re-enactors. They did not attend. But I had certainly made my mark in Charleston, which were both good and bad. A poster I made for the best image was called Daughters of the New South. It became very popular for a brief time.
So many good things came from my project “The Daughters of the New South”. The project launched my photography career. The costume company hired me for many events. I began shooting for Skirt! Magazine
Consequently, one of Ashley Hall’s alums, a prominent garden book writer, hired me to shoot the book, “The Charleston Gardener”, Wyrick publishers
The Charleston City Paper, that then was called Upwith, covered the opening of my Exhibition and hired me to shoot lifestyle and advertising products.
I have learned I need to trust my instincts and that conflict can be a great inspiration.
As the digital age commenced, I took my photographs to a new level.
I struggled at first then, learning the vast tools of Adobe Photoshop. I then began utilizing the tool into my photographs pushing further with my imagery to what I believe is a new art form of the 21st century.
Laurens technique utilizes photographs that are digitally designed composites of layers that become contemporary art on mediums such as canvas, paper, metal, as well as mixed media art. This distinctive use of photographs and media reflects a long tradition of abstract and expressionist painting as well as the more contemporary digital arts.
What I believe is my strongest talent is the ability to create intensely personal portraits of places, people and things. Utilizing my photographs, to create imagery that relates to the subject.
A commission by Johns Hopkins Cochlear Ear Center is an exbest explains my process. The Listening Center surgically implants the Cochlear device to enable patients to hear. In creating the 2 8ft canvas panes for the lobby, I imagined what I would miss hearing if I were deaf. I thought of things like music, bird song and also created patterns from the microscopic images of the inner ear which the surgeon gave me. I incorporated it into the large canvas 8ft two paneled installation. Ther art included a large ear, music sheets, singing birds and then she created patterns from the surgeon’s microscopic images of the inner ear.
My work is still evolving and I hope I never stop learning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One obstacle as a freelancer is getting work. I have had to work for little or free to gain experience and exposure.
Another obstacle and/or opportunity is learning. As photography became digital, it is an ever evolving learning curve.
My most recent commission for a new building lobby of Pattillo Construction, best illustrates the workdoing now.
Project: Lobby Artwork for Pattillo Construction – South Carolina Branch
Commissioned to create a series of three large-scale artworks for the lobby of Patillo Construction’s new South Carolina office, I developed pieces that honor the company’s heritage while reflecting its growth and future vision.
• Legacy Piece: Created in collaboration with the Patillo family, this work celebrates the company’s history and multigenerational foundation.
• Georgia Piece: Inspired by projects in Georgia, the company’s place of origin, this artwork highlights the roots of Patillo Construction.
• South Carolina Piece: Focused on the new office location, this piece symbolizes expansion into South Carolina and the promise of future projects.
Project:
Lobby Artwork for Pattillo Construction – South Carolina Branch
Commissioned to create a series of three large-scale artworks for the lobby of Pattillo Construction’s new South Carolina office,
I developed pieces that honor the company’s heritage while reflecting its growth and future vision.
• Legacy Piece: Created in collaboration with the Pattillo family, this work celebrates the company’s history and multigenerational foundation.
• Georgia Piece: Inspired by projects in Georgia, the company’s place of origin, this artwork highlights the roots of Patillo Construction.
• South Carolina Piece: Focused on the new office location, this piece symbolizes expansion into South Carolina and the promise of future projects.
Commissioned Art
in collaboration
with the Pattillo family,
this work celebrates
the company’s history
and
multigenerational
Legacy Piece:
40 x 60” Ultra Chrome Ink on Canvas
Created to celebrate
Pattlillo Family’s
history
and multigenerational foundation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laurenpreller.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-preller-740227b
