Lauren Grabelle, Deer Diary

Lauren Grabelle, Deer Diary

May 1-July 26

Lauren Grabelle is a prolific photographer with an extensive and diverse portfolio. Rather than adhering to a singular focus, she allows her projects to emerge organically, though a thematic thread runs through her work—exploring relationships between people and place, humans and animals, and animals and the land. Originally from New Jersey, Grabelle moved to northwest Montana seeking solace in nature, settling on the edge of the Flathead Valley, an area of rugged beauty now facing rapid population growth and increasing encroachment on wildlife habitat. Deer Diary is a departure from her usual photographic approach, as she relinquishes control by using motion-activated trail cameras to capture deer moving across shared landscapes. The resulting nighttime images are moody and atmospheric, with glowing eyes and ethereal forms emerging from the darkness. The exhibition features a large video projection, framed prints, and free-hanging scrims, offering an alternative to conventional wildlife photography, which often relies on controlled precision. Instead, Grabelle embraces the mystery and presence of everyday nature, documenting creatures that have been central to art, mythology, and storytelling since ancient times. Recognized in Women Photograph: 2024 Year in Pictures and Photolucida Critical Mass TOP 200, Grabelle has an extensive exhibition history, including past features at MAM. Deer Diary marks her first solo museum exhibition, and we are thrilled to share this evocative work with our audience.