Timothy Gordish

Timothy Gordish is working in cyanotypes and ziatypes in California. He has practiced alt. proc. since the 80s.
From: San Diego, CA, USA.
Shows: Cyanotypes, Ziatypes.

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Preaching, teaching, and counseling is Timothy Gordish’s day job, but he hopes to extend these skills into his photography. Although he doesn’t feel as if he is anywhere near reaching his goal of visual sermons, or prayers to God he still strives toward this goal. Jesus himself used images or parables in order to make concrete some very abstract theological ideas, and Tim is working toward using the universal language of photography to express these primary truths. The sermons of Jesus are filled with vines, seeds, trees, loaves of bread, all of which Tim sees as future subjects for his work. He finds himself in full agreement with St. Francis of Assisi who once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times – if necessary, use words.”

According to Tim’s approach to life, how you reach your destination is just as important as where you go, and the process is just as important as the results. This personal philosophy leads naturally to an interest in alternative photography processes.

Alternative photography came early to Tim. He began working in cyanotype, gum bichromate, and pinhole photography in his teen’s in the 1980’s, and has continued to further his working process throughout his life. His first serious work in photography was as a photojournalist, but his later visual studies course work at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design helped him to develop his artistic ability. Someday he would like to supplement his BA and MDiv with a MFA to give him the time and critical feedback necessary to get his work where he feels it needs to be.

Currently he is working with the cyanotype process toned in tea or coffee because of its environmental and safe properties. He also develops his 5×7 negatives in E-76 developer whose Phenidone and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) ingredients have been approved by the FDA for dietary use! His choice of materials and process is very intentional and are part of the message he wishes to communicate. Once again, the process is as important as the product for him.

“Photography is miraculous, and alternate processes are alchemy to Timothy Gordish. He enjoys all steps in the process of creating a photograph, and finds it to be a very spiritual connection to his Creator. Although most of his work has been in landscape he hopes to explore portraits in the future. He has been self taught working in a variety of alternative processes since he was an early teen, and his recent work has been in cyanotype and ziatype.”

Contact Timothy Gordish