Henry Lewis BREATHING – William Mora Galleries – March 2025

William Mora Galleries is delighted to be showing a selection of photographs from Henry Lewis’ series, Breathing, from 20 March to 25 April 2025.

In these images, Henry has captured his own breath (exhalation) with the camera. Having collected a database, Henry then rearranges the captions in various manners. In this instance, we can see the grid as a recurring pattern which conveys different reference points and meanings : crosswords, tunics, puzzles.

” The squares thus assembled, take on a new life, extending beyond their original purpose, that being basically, to keep one physically alive. No longer part of the original context, they’re repurposed to play a multiple and perpetual existence continuing to exist as background and the ensemble conserved as a source of temporal contemplation. The individual breath images have been exploited in various manners. Simple grids were originally privileged and continue to be used. These grid formats remain contemplative, justifying their existence by the nature of their creation; the assemblage of breathing. Collections of similar characteristics assembled like stamps in an album. Are we going to search the fault, the difference between one and another or accept it as the incongruous nature of natural things? They were chosen; therefore it is justifiable to imagine that they are assembled with reason. I have moved to different compositions where there are shifts and slipping; the square formats are distorted to fit certain motifs and designs. The grids group breath images that are assembled, edited. The resulting juxtaposition is no longer linier or chronologic. Therefore its logic is one decided to form an art-piece and its physical or scientific attributes form a vague background. “ Henry Lewis

Henry was born in Sydney, Australia, where he spent his childhood, before studying art at The San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1970s. Later he resided in France for an extended period. Over time, Henry’s practice has evolved to include a diverse range of approaches, from auto-portraiture to staged photography. In his later series, including Breathing, Lewis creates a visual narrative via the use of biological concepts. Lewis has exhibited extensively across Europe, showcasing his work in renowned galleries and museums. In 2019, Lewis returned to Australia and is now based near Bowral.

We look forward to seeing you in the gallery.

Anna