Hellen van Meene in ‘Immersion’ at Yancey Richardson Gallery

A father and child floating in a lake, a swimming snake in still water and surfers in the waves are pictured from above, while a baby, a shark and swimmers in a pool are pictured from below in six different, strikingly intimiate photographs in Yancey Richardson Gallery’s arrestingly beautiful summer group show ‘Immersion.’  Here, Dutch photographer Hellen van Meene recreates John Everett Millais’ 1851 painting ‘Ophelia’ from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’  Looking slightly more composed and decidedly more alive than the 19th century version, this retelling of the story seems to offer hope that Ophelia will soon rise up magically or of her own will. (On view through Aug 16th).

Hellen van Meene, Untitled #544, chromogenic print, 27 ½ x 27 ½ inches, 2022.

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