St. Monica Outbuildings With Asphalt, 2020

• Photographer
  Christopher Paul Brown
• Agency / Studio
  Christopher Paul Brown Photogr

In the 1950s St. Monica Catholic Parish purchased an established dairy farm and converted the barns into a church, offices and classrooms. The structures were well made and have been maintained. The asphalt dates from the early 1960s. A large church was built in the early 70s and the need for parking around the temporary church lessened considerably. Some patching work was done on the asphalt and while shooting I found spray paint indicating future work. I quite like the texture of the old and pitted asphalt, as well as the curious style of the former dairy buildings.

Christopher Paul Brown identifies as an alchemist. He also sees himself as a primitive hunter-gatherer rather than a modern urban agrarian. Relying on serendipity and synchronicity in lieu of elaborate planning, he seeks to uncover the unconscious and dimensions beyond the familiar three. Brown’s career has also spanned experimental music and video. He completed a BA in Film in 1980 and his first solo photography show exhibited in 1985. He describes his approach as Radical Play and he employs polar opposites such as intent/openness and obscure/reveal to allow paradox and alchemy.