Artist Statement
I’m interested in the study of place (both internal and external) and use the medium of photography to express a certain emotionality of the landscape. Through immersion in my environment and the long exposures of pinhole and lens-based experimental processes, I relinquish a sense of control over the photograph, embrace chance, and delve into the unknown. The camera becomes a conduit and my preparation before taking an image borders on the philosophical. I no longer use the camera to “capture” but use it in a “receptive” way. Through this embodied way of working, I receive unique and tangible photographic objects. I’m also exploring how my photographic philosophy, process, and practice can incorporate the digital where the tangible is nowhere to be found. In further exploration and expression of the internal, I use the medium of soft pastel to create multi-layered abstractions.
Bio
Beth D’Elia is an experimental photographer and multidisciplinary artist based on Cape Cod. She uses film and silver gelatin photo papers with innovative lens-based, pinhole, and camera-less techniques as well as the pastel medium to explore the notion of landscape, both internal and external. She has also been exploring digital photography and system-based collaboration. Conceptually, her work leans toward the abstract and painterly which conveys the essence of the landscapes she studies and creates. She recently completed her MFA in Photography & Integrated Media at Lesley University. Her work is in private collections throughout the United States and abroad in the UK, Ireland, Argentina and Canada.
CV
Volunteer:
Cape Cod Museum of Art, Archives — 2023-2024
Education:
Lesley University, Cambridge — MFA Photography and Integrated Media — 2024
Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — Photography course — 1998
Photography study with Jo Brenzo — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — 1998
Pastel study with Clarence Hagins — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — 1998
School of the Art Institute, Chicago — Drawing & Figure Drawing workshops — 1997
Northeastern University, Boston — MS Human Resource Counseling — 1995
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame — BA History — 1990
Exhibition History:
2025 — Gallery Rag “Trace Light: The Archive in Motion” Group Exhibition, Gloucester, MA
2024 — MFA Exhibition Online – University of Montana “Anything That Moves”
2024 — Roberts Gallery “The Last Picture Show” Group Exhibition, Cambridge, MA
2022 — Float Magazine “Instant Gratification” Online Exhibition
Publications and Media:
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2, Malin Fabbri, September 11, 2023
The Hand Magazine, Issue 40, April 2023
“A Conversation with Beth D’Elia”, The Root Cellar/Substack, March 22, 2023
“30 minutes”, Safelight Paper, January 11, 2023
Mina Art Magazine, July 15 2022
Juried Art Fairs:
2023 — Arts Barnstable Artist Shanty Program, Hyannis MA
2023 — Old Town Art Fair, Chicago IL
Beth D'Elia . Studio 