Julie Blackmon: Moonball

Julie Blackmon’s constructed photographs blend humor, nostalgia, and subtle critique, often portraying domestic and family scenes that examine gender roles, modern pressures, and societal expectations. The curation of Moonball features three new photographs alongside some of her most highly sought-after images of the last decade. Blackmon's photography often portrays scenes from her hometown in Missouri, capturing the complexities of American family life with a blend of humor and subtle commentary. While watching her children and niece play outdoors, an expectedly powerful and high toss of a volleyball reminded Blackmon of the moon within an orbit of colorful playground balls that appeared, ‘suspended high in a sky that suddenly felt cosmic.’ The photograph and title of the show Moonball are inspired by that moment in time. Her images are meticulously composed, drawing inspiration from art historical themes, particularly Dutch and Flemish paintings, to depict everyday moments infused with a sense of narrative depth.