Images from Iraq: Photographer and veteran shares his views of the Middle East in exhibition opening on Gallery Night

Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:18 PM CST

Steven Gilboy is a professional photographer, having owned and operated the Gilboy Photography studio in Sturtevant in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is Gilboy’s other job, however, that visitors to this weekend’s Gallery Night can become acquainted with when the photographer shares his latest work in a special exhibition called “Images from Iraq” at the Photographic Design Studio and Gallery, 411 Sixth St.

Gilboy, who was born and raised in Racine, is a Master Sergeant in the Wisconsin National Guard and the United States Army who just returned from a 15-month deployment in Iraq and Kuwait. His show at Photographic Design will feature more than 20 images from the thousands he captured while doing field artillery convoy escort and security missions in Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Included are photos of both military and civilian life, as seen through a soldier’s eye.

From young Iraqi children surrounding a military tank, to one soldier carrying another on his shoulders, the images give the viewer a peek into war time life in the Middle East.

“It is desolate and dissolute life there,” Gilboy said in a recent phone interview while driving from Fort McCoy to his home in Cambria, where he lives with his wife Deena and two sons, Grant and Nathan. “In order to understand the people there, you must know that they sometimes do things — criminal activities — that are born out of poverty. When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.”

Gilboy, who has served 27 years in the military, said he hopes that viewers will also get a sense for the dedication that U.S. troops have to their mission of serving and protecting the United States of America, and the sacrifices they make in doing so.

“The ‘kids’ we put over there are doing a phenomenal job,” he said. “They are doing stuff that goes above and beyond what is asked of them, day in and day out.”

While the majority of the photographs that will be exhibited during Gallery Night were taken by Gilboy, there are a few that were shot by his fellow soldiers, he said.

“I was the keeper of the photos while we were over there, because I did the newsletter.”

The 1978 graduate of Case High School was also somewhat of a father figure to the younger soldiers he served with in the Middle East.

“They would tell me that I was older than their dads,” he said. “We would talk about all kinds of things. It was a great boost for each of us.”

Gallery Night attendees can meet Gilboy at the show’s opening reception, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. “Images from Iraq” will remain on display at the gallery through Dec. 31. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

“We are very excited to be able to have Steve here to discuss the images and talk about what a photographer/soldier sees in Iraq,” said Brad Jaeck, co-owner of Photographic Design. “We think it will be an extremely interesting and thought-provoking evening.”

Photographic Design is one of 15 Downtown galleries and shops that will have special exhibitions for Gallery Night. A wide range of local and regional artists, who work in a variety of media, will be featured during the evening, which is this year’s final Gallery Night. For a complete list of galleries and participating artists, see accompanying story (below).

If You Go

WHAT: Gallery Night

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: 15 downtown galleries along Wisconsin Avenue, Sixth Street and Main Street. See separate list of gallery locations and featured artists.

COST: Admission is free.

INFO: Maps detailing gallery locations and exhibits are available at all participating galleries and at the Downtown Racine Corp., 413 Main St.

Participating Galleries

Artists Gallery, 414 Sixth St. Watercolor painter Lyle Peters and ceramic artist Jeff Shawhan will be featured in a combined show called “Fire and Water” at Racine’s only Cooperative Gallery of local and regional fine art and gifts.

Art Metals Studio, 332 Main St., will focus on work by Christopher Sklba and the Art Metals staff, including one of a kind and limited production pieces in a variety of precious metals, with exceptional gemstones and precious minerals.

Avenue Frame and Gallery, 402 Main St. Pastels and pencil drawings by Rick Reinders will be the featured exhibit. Best known for his photography, Reinders’ mastery with pastel and pencil can be seen in this collection of wildlife, landscape and still life pieces.

Cobblestone Art & Frame, 415 Sixth St., will feature framed and unframed autographed Green Bay Packers photos and posters, as well as the works of notable Racine watercolorists, Sherman Groenke, Tom White and Don Ricchio.

Funky Hannah’s Beads & Art, 324 Main St. The staff of Funky’s unveils their latest, one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry creations. There will also be new painting from Marj Lacock and, as always, the wonderful whimsy of Bill Reid & Mike Judy in sculpture and pastels.

Hot Shop Glass Studio & Gallery, 239 Wisconsin Ave. Come celebrate the Hot Shop’s 2nd anniversary with new work by Doug Chaussee, Liz Gabriel and Amanda Paffrath; the second annual student and studio artist show; and glass blowing demonstrations all night long.

Mathis Gallery & Frame Shop, 328 Main St., will present master prints from the 1970s by Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg and Jim Dine.

Monfort’s Fine Art Gallery, 430 Main St., presents a “Mr. & Mrs.” Artist Reception for Lance and Patricia Lee Raichert. Visit with the artists about their new work and watch as Lance works on his latest masterpiece during an in-gallery demonstration.

Northern Lights Gallery, 300 Main St., will feature glass art, including the work of Burlington glass and jewelry artist Lynne Rae Eaton; Michigan glass mosaic artist, Jackie Russ; and glass faces by Indiana artist James Connolly.

Photographic Design, 411 Sixth St. presents “Images from Iraq”, a collection of photographs by Steve Gilboy. Gilboy will be present to discuss the contents of the photographs and the techniques he used during his recent 15-month tour of duty.

Plumb Gold Ltd., 322 Main St. Vibrant colors, uncommon gemstones and inspirations of nature will be featured in the fine handmade jewelry of nationally-acclaimed designer Patrick Murphy.

Racine Arts Council, 505 Sixth St., will show the work of Kenosha artist Jurga Petkus. Also on permanent display is the Ozella Quilt Code Exhibit, a story of the underground railroad.

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St. See “Icons of Elegance: The Most Influential Shoe Designers of the 20th Century for free on Gallery Night from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors can also see the official debut of “Shoes in the City,” a public art installation all about shoes, created by local residents at this year’s Party on the Pavement in downtown Racine, with the help of RAM’s Education Center.

Remington-May Workshop Gallery, 613 Sixth St., presents “Poke Around, An Historic Building Tour a/k/a the Stuff Show.” This special tour is being offered in honor of Remington-May’s last Gallery Night in Racine.

Spectrum Gallery will exhibit at Martha Merrell’s Bookstore, 409 Sixth St., for Gallery Night. This group show will feature the work of a variety of Spectrum Gallery members, including drawings, paintings, watercolors, photography and pottery.

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