Overview:
Rupert Jenkins curated "Outside Influence," a photography exhibition spanning 1945 to 1995, as part of Colorado's Month of Photography.
The Colorado Month of Photography (MOP), a biennial event founded in 2004 to celebrate the art of photography, once again shines a spotlight on Colorado’s vibrant photographic community. This year, the Vicki Myhren Gallery at 2121 East Asbury Avenue on DU’s campus is exhibiting a showcase titled “Outside Influence: Photography in Colorado”—featuring works from 1945-1995 that capture the evolution of photography in the state.
“The show references the influence of the land on Colorado’s photographers,” the exhibit’s curator, Rupert Jenkins, said. “Also the creative influence of people arriving from outside of the state, so that’s the duality of the title—the show is not just about art but connections between people.”
Jenkins has been researching and documenting the history of post-WWII photography in Colorado since 2017. His upcoming book, “Outside Influence: Photography in Colorado 1945–95,” is set to be published this fall by the University Press of Colorado, and serves as a foundation for the exhibit.
“(The book) focuses on 1945 to 1995—and I was interested in that, just because it has not been written about before and in any detail,” Jenkins said. “A lot of the artists are kind of disappearing into the ether, you know, as time goes on. And I wanted to put it on the record as it were.”
Since moving to Colorado in 2005, Jenkins has become an influential force in the state’s photography community. Over the past two decades, he has worked with institutions such as the Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) and the Vicki Myhren Gallery, while also curating numerous exhibitions across the state.
As both an author and curator, Jenkins said he is dedicated to highlighting the vibrant yet frequently overlooked photography of Colorado. “Photography isn’t well represented at other times of the year,” said Jenkins. “I would like to see photography spread out all over the year, but that has never sort of been the case in Colorado, which is why there is a MOP.”
Mark Sink, founder of Colorado’s MOP, is featured in the “Outside Influence” exhibit. He also organized the Denver Salon Group, a collective dedicated to art photography—described by Sink as “Not pictures of pretty things.”
Reflecting on the significance of MOP, Sink shared, “Like Salon, MOP started with the community—getting together in the backyard, going through ideas and planning— what would you like to do? And these things are really great when you do them for passion and love. This brings the community together, our fine art community.”
For Valari Jack, another featured artist in the exhibit “Outside Influence,” photography has always been about passion.
“I think photography is about obsession, love, finding joy and finding your voice,” Jack said. “I’ve been in Boulder for a long time, so a lot of these faces and photos are familiar to me. While I’ve sort of kept myself on the outskirts, nonetheless, it’s always been so great to know that that was really a living, breathing thing, and, I have to say, Mark is responsible for so much of that.”
While curating the exhibit, Jenkins emphasized his focus on artists still living in Colorado. Drawing from the Colorado Photographic Arts Center’s archives and word-of-mouth connections, he was able to gather material for his book and for the exhibit by talking with 120 people in the community.
“There were always certain names that would rise to the surface and certain names that nobody ever mentioned. So, who, in these people’s estimation, were the important people?” Jenkins said. “The exhibition is a little different from the book—there are people in the book who live out of state that I did not put in the exhibit. This [exhibit] emphasizes the people that are still living in the state.”
The exhibit features a wide range of photographic styles and techniques, from traditional gelatin silver prints to early digital experiments.
“There’s a lot of old [photographic] process in the show,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t want mountains, because that is the cliche photography here—so I subconsciously weighted [the exhibit] towards portraiture and figurative work in the show, which kind of actually surprised me.”
In an era dominated by digital media, Jenkins reflected on the importance of preserving the physical print.
“If you’re making a print for people, you’re making an image for people to look at and to really absorb and appreciate. It’s a radically different experience to look at a print and to look at something on screen,” said Jenkins. “You know, there’s that personal connection between a screen that’s blasting light back at you and an image that’s absorbing light, for instance, so emotionally, it’s completely different. I just love the print.”
The recent opening of the exhibit was a remarkable testament to the power of art in fostering community. A guest sign-in book captured the excitement of attendees, with an incredibly diverse group gathering to celebrate the event. The exhibit, carefully curated by Jenkins, offered something for everyone, showcasing a variety of mediums—from striking landscapes to intimate portraits, and even a few vintage selfies.
Visitors were immersed in a beautifully arranged space, with old photography books available for browsing, and the gallery walls filled with images of friends, familiar places, and iconic artists. The atmosphere was lively, as laughter and conversation quickly filled the empty gallery with light.
The opening night of “Outside Influence” drew a large crowd of at least 160 people that spilled into the entryway of the gallery. One unique highlight was the opportunity for patrons to interact with some of the photographers behind the images—a rare experience that added an extra layer of meaning to the event. Jenkins hopes that this exhibition will inspire a deeper appreciation for the history of photography in Colorado.
“I want to establish photography in the canon of art in Colorado, which I don’t think it ever has been,” Jenkins said. “You know, photography has always sort of been a little bit ignored in the area. And I think overall, the goal is to reorient the canon away from being painting, ceramic sculpture, etc., into making it more inclusive with photography.”
Colorado’s MOP continues to be a vital platform for photographers and art lovers alike. With over 90 exhibits, workshops and lectures throughout the month, MOP not only celebrates the past but also paves the way for the future of photography in Colorado.
As Jenkins put it, “There’s a lot of new ideas in the old work, you know, and that’s really what drives things—what drives change.”
“Outside Influence: Photography in Colorado 1945-1995” is on display at the Vicki Myhren Gallery at the University of Denver from March 13 to April 27. For more information, visit the gallery’s website here.
