Christian Houge: Shadow Within (2010-2013)

For the work in his second solo exhibition in San Francisco, Norwegian photographer Christian Houge spent months living with a pack of wolves – gaining their trust and taking remarkably intimate and revealing portraits. The gorgeously printed, large-scale color and black and white images elicit a visceral response – the wolves’ bristling fur and bared teeth seem close enough to touch. They stare directly at the viewer, fierce and wild. But Houge’s photos reveal lives that are more fascinating than ferocious – uncovering the distinct personalities of individuals as well as the complex relationships between various members of a community.

For centuries the wolf has been portrayed in Western folklore and religion as ravenous, corrupt and violent. Associated in literature with danger and even evil, it came to represent a greatly exaggerated threat to humans. The fear resulting from this mythology led to the widespread destruction of the animal in Europe and North America. Houge wants to de-bunk the legend of the big, bad wolf.

Although none of his photographs exhibit any trace of humans, the extreme proximity of the artist to the wolves is implicit and unnerving. These images aren’t just about wolves; they’re about our relationship to the wild and to nature as a whole. They’re also about the untamed aspects of our collective and individual psyches. They present a challenge to stand face to face with our darkest demons and deepest fears. Special thanks to Canson Infinity for providing the photographic paper for this exhibition.