Margaret de Lange | Foley Gallery

Margaret de Lange's photographs of her two daughters, Jannicke and Catherine, taken during their summers from 1993 through 2002, look nothing like average snapshots found in most family photo albums.  (My childhood pics mainly consist of me pulling silly faces, wearing goofy outfits -remember Garanimals?- or being tortured by my older siblings...)  The grainy, black-and-white images presented in Daughters at Foley Gallery show the girls frolicking outdoors during their Norwegian summers, roaming naked, getting dirty, and enjoying nature. 

As the press release states, the photos "are representative of a typical Norwegian childhood during the brief but sweet summer months.  However, the way in which the images are rendered, with deeply encroaching shadows and heavy grain, pushes the subject into more of a dream realm that speaks more of the meandering experience of these pre-adolescent girls and a world that is very much their own."  The intimate images depict the two young, willowy, blonde daughters as carefree nature girls having fun and adventures in their very own fantasy dreamscape.

The girls' mother waited until they were both older to ask their permission to exhibit these works.  As the elder daughter Jannicke states, "She has preserved random pieces of our childhood, and we treasure those moments."  Lucky girls!  Their mother has lovingly documented some wonderful and special moments from their youth which they'll be able to hold on to and fondly remember for years to come.  Learn more at Foleygallery.com. Through January 30, 2010.

Daughters #8, 1997

Daughters #18, 2000; Daughters #21, 2003; Daughters #22, 2003

Daughters #18, 2000

Daughters #19, 2000

Daughters #25, 2002