RAiR | 2000-01

Walter Cotten

USA, 1947-2008

Walter Cotten (1947-2008) was a US-born photographer and lithographer based in California. He held a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California Santa Barbara. Cotten taught at San Diego State University in the School of Art, Design, and Art History for 30 years. Over the course of his career, Cotten's work was featured at several prominent art museums including the Photographers Gallery in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla and museums in Cambridge, England and in Montreal, Canada. His work has also been published in Metropolis and Artbyte magazines. In addition to the Roswell Artist and Residency Program, Cotten also received a variety of grants and residency awards including the Ucross Foundation Residency.

From an article about Cotten’s 2001 RAiR exhibition, Mnemonica: “Artist-in-Residence Walter Cotten is a quiet, unassuming man with alert, penetrating eyes. His personal presentation is low-key; his speech reflective rather than explanatory. He lets his photography speak for itself–allowing its subtleties to awaken the awareness of the viewer. He does not lead us around with over intellectualizations, explanations, justifications, or other preachings.

He is also a ‘low-tech” photographer with a low-volume approach to imagery that alludes to the complexities of the human condition but does not define them. His pinhole camera technique re-fabricates objects into visions that range from subtle to stunning, yet, like the artist himself, seem full of intuitive wondering, quiet reflection, and the outer edges of answers. His works will make you uneasy and satisfied at the same time. Take your time with these images, for they will generously reward the patient observer.”

Roswell Museum and Art Center

Rair exhibition • walter cotten “mnemonica” • february 23 - may 14, 2001