Seen—to see and the power of being seen.
Seen is a new photography exhibit coming to the Third Floor Gallery at Mahopac Public Library, June 3-26
Featuring a series of photographic portraits from the world travels of Mahopac resident Debra Mayer, the exhibit explores the extraordinary cultural heritage revealed, not in museums or tourism campaigns, but in unscripted encounters around the globe: A child gesturing with a shy smile. A woman enjoying street food. A goatherd proudly showing off a newborn kid.
“These photographs ask the viewer to slow the act of looking at a stranger until it becomes an empathetic act of recognizing the power of the person being seen,” Mayer said.
The striking images were gathered over years of respectful street photography from Mayer’s extensive travel across five continents. Together they form a multi-dimensional portrait of humanity itself—complex, vibrant, and fascinating, endlessly worthy of being seen.
The photographs in Seen reveal the artistic side of Debra Mayer, an attorney whose 30-year career was built on legal advocacy and artistic expression. She co-founded an entertainment litigation firm focused on protecting world-class creators in fine art, documentary film, photography, and publishing — and earlier, worked at a music boutique and the storied Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Educated at Georgetown University Law Center, American University and The Madeira School, Debra Mayer spent twenty years tutoring and mentoring students in Harlem classrooms, where she deepened her commitment to seeing – and respecting – those too often overlooked.
Seen is the culmination of that work: unscripted photographic portraiture that invites you to see that every person is deserving of unhurried attention.
The Third Floor Gallery at Mahopac Public Library is located at 668 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541.
For library hours and exhibit information, visit mahopaclibrary.org/art-galleries or email mplgallerycommittee@gmail.com
Article courtesy of Mahopac Library
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