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Christian Houge
Shadow Within (2010-2013), 20 July - 17 August 2013
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Christian Houge: Shadow Within (2010-2013)

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Overview
Christian Houge, Untitled 18, Norway, 2010, ink on Canson Baryta paper, 33 x 47 inches
Christian Houge, Untitled 18, Norway, 2010, ink on Canson Baryta paper, 33 x 47 inches

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.

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Works
  • Christian Houge Untitled 18, Norway, 2010 ink on Canson Baryta paper 33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 18, Norway, 2010
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 15, Norway, 2011 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 15, Norway, 2011
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 22, USA, 2012 ink on Canson Baryta paper 33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 22, USA, 2012
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 21, USA, 2012 ink on Canson Baryta paper 33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 21, USA, 2012
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    33 x 47 inches/83.8 x 119.4 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 11, Norway, 2011 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 11, Norway, 2011
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 6, Norway, 2010 ink on Canson Baryta paper 30 x 63 in 76.2 x 160 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 6, Norway, 2010
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    30 x 63 in
    76.2 x 160 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 1, Norway, 2010 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 1, Norway, 2010
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches
  • Christian Houge Untitled 20, Norway, 2010 ink on Canson Baryta paper 63 x 42 inches/160 x 106.7 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 20, Norway, 2010
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    63 x 42 inches/160 x 106.7 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 3, Norway, 2011 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 3, Norway, 2011
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches/119.4 x 83.8 cm
  • Christian Houge Untitled 7, Norway, 2010 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 7, Norway, 2010
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches
  • Christian Houge Untitled 13, Norway, 2012 ink on Canson Baryta paper 47 x 33 inches
    Christian Houge
    Untitled 13, Norway, 2012
    ink on Canson Baryta paper
    47 x 33 inches
Installation Views
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Press
  • Christian Houge, "Untitled 6, Norway," 2010; ink on Canson Baryta paper, 30 x 63 in, 76.2 x 160 cm

    Christian Houge: A photographer dances with wolves

    Kimberly Chun, San Francisco Chronicle, July 31, 2013
  • Christian Houge, "Untitled 17, Norway," 2010, detail view; ink on Canson Baryta paper, 47 x 33 inches

    Christian Houge: Shadow Within

    Glen Helfand, Photograph Magazine, July 30, 2013

Related artist

  • Christian Houge

    Christian Houge

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