Nikki Hung: Taphophilia (A Photography Exhibition)

Exhibition Dates: March 1- April 27, 2019
Opening Reception: Friday, March 1, 2019 5-8pm
Artist Talk: Friday, April 5, 2019 5-7pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, April 27, 2019 3-6pm

Womenswork.art is pleased to present Nikki Hung: Taphophilia. The Taphophilia exhibition is the culmination of the photographic studies of several Dutchess County cemeteries, including Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Saint Peter's Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery. Unlike many other artists that depict the cemetery as depressing, sorrowful landscapes; she decided to depict the subject as bright, colorful and full of beauty. Nikki's long term goal for the project is to continue to build upon the body of work she has already procured, by expanding past the Hudson Valley area and explore other prominent cemeteries around the New York area, and eventually across the country.

The term Taphophilia, also known as “Cemtery Tourism”, describes someone who has a passion for cemeteries, tombstones and the rituals of Death. This can include researching graves of significant people and their life stories, making grave rubbings, and taking photographs.

Today, the appreciation of cemeteries has evolved along with science and technology. The Internet allows enthusiasts to visit cemeteries (and in some cases the gravesites of their own ancestors) utilizing online sources such as findagrave.com and ancestry.com. There are also many online blogs and books devoted to peoples' personal explorations into cemeteries, particularly ones that contain the remains of famous individuals. There are also tours that are organize by many cemeteries (acting as historical non-profit organizations) and plan tours through famous cemeteries.

Please join us at the opening reception March 1, 6-9 pm.