Shark by Richard Learoyd

Part of the recurring Viewpoints series, this presentation centers on Richard Learoyd’s large-scale photograph of a dead grey reef shark from the Henry Art Gallery’s permanent collection. Created with the artist’s room-sized camera obscura and unique positive photographic process, Shark draws upon scientific photography and still-life traditions. Responses by University of Washington contributors in art history, anthropology, and marine biology examine photographic truth, extraction, mortality, museum ethics, and human relationships with other living creatures.

Richard Learoyd (U.K., b. 1966). Shark, 2009. Unique Ilfochrome print. Henry Art Gallery, gift of Lyn and Jerry Grinstein, 2021.18.