In The Eye of The Beholder
No matter what the subject, there is a tale being written by the viewer and led by the Artist. Whether it be a city street, a porch light or even an old friend, there is always an unspoken story. The moments that grab our attention and say so much more than what is seen are worth sharing. We’ve all sat and reminisced about the stories behind our favorite photo. We’ve all built our own tales of life while going through scrapbooks. Photography is a chance to bring real life into its own universe, one that steps out of our reality and stands still. Photographs are freeze frame shots of stories, each with their own unique background. There is so much to be said of what a picture shows but where the beauty lies is what it means - to both the viewer and the photographer. That’s the wonderful thing about art, perspective is everything. In photography where the viewer’s perspective and gaze is entirely shaped by the photographer, we get one step closer to viewing the world as another sees it.
The ‘In The Eye of The Beholder’ Exhibition centers around storytelling and interpersonal perspectives. At OCA Mocha, we aim to highlight artists across mediums, hold space for photographers to further express themselves with the community and to continue the art of storytelling through visual mediums.
- Curated by Alexis Tyson, Graphic Design, UMBC 2024
Ali Truman
Solidarity Skates Feature in Family First Magazine - Tula
Boys Cry - Fonlon, 2021
Photography
I am a Baltimore-based creative practicing several talents across multiple mediums including print, photography, film & set design. In my art, I work to capture the things, feelings, sensations, and images in my mind.
Aarsh Shah
Groom, Bride, Afternoon walk and S’mores, 2021
My name is Aarsh Shah and I am an aspiring medical student. I have been doing commercial photography since 2018. I love doing portraits and events such as concerts. I also enjoy shooting films.
Montse Soto
UMBC During a Pandemic, 2020
Photography
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to continue living at UMBC in my senior year. Throughout that academic year, I saw how different the campus environment changed from carefree and full of students during the school week, to being very bare and quiet; making it always feel like the weekend throughout the week. I decided that it was important to highlight my environment through my work of photography to document the uniqueness of this historical time.
Nile Williams
They Been Trying To Get Me Lately Momma, 2021
Conceptual and Digital Photography
“They been trying to get me lately momma...“ is ultimately about anxiety and that boogeyman under your bed you haven't seen until recently. Those skeletons in your closet you completely forgot about until someone or something brought it to your attention. Demons, Negativity, response, and trigger are all emotions this piece may invoke to some viewers.
Sherry Li
Untitled, and Summer, 2016
Film Photography
I'm a 4th year at UMBC and have always been interested in photography. I started off taking pictures with my dad's old film camera before transitioning to digital photography. Film photography has always been something I loved looking at rather than taking. The simplicity of it and how you can capture a moment at any given time. My works were to try and capture the simplicity of life and how to make something ordinary more exciting.
Hannah Christie
Mare, Pure Joy and Funny Face, 2021
Photography
My name is Hannah Christie and I am a recent transfer and psychology major at UMBC. I have been practicing photography since I was 15 when I got my first film camera. Most of my work is shot on a Nikon D3100. My work aims to find the beauty and joy in the simple things in life, like a horse in a barn, a goofy sculpture on a boardwalk, or the face of a happy child.
Ruth Osomond
In the Balance, 2021
Digital Photography
I’ve always enjoyed photography as a way to immortalize memories but over quarantine I began using photography as more of a creative outlet. In photography, I love the feeling of surprise when looking through photos and finding an unexpectedly beautiful image.
Thomas Rafus Jr
Capturing Aesthetics, 2021
Photography
Hello viewer, my name is Thomas Rafus Jr, but through my work, you can address me as “ThirdEye T” or just “T” for short. I began my journey as a photographer a little over a year ago and I use capturing photos to express the stories of different people throughout a specific chapter in life being adulthood. I thank you for taking the time to tap in with your “third eye”.
Miracle Kendall
UNCANNY. , 2020
Digital Photography
As a queer black artist I often think the world strives to make us as invisible and as as quiet as possible, because of this I have gotten quite comfortable with people being uncomfortable with my vibrancy, my loudness, etc. At times where outside forces won and I did feel silent for whatever reason, photography helped me to speak when I couldn’t and show emotions that I didn’t know how to show. When you create I believe that everything is a self portrait even if it isn’t “actually” one; Your work is still a reflection of you. While I enjoy producing work without having to ponder over what the outcome will be, for me what reflects in my art more often than not is a sense of emotion/feeling that comes from the eyes and less from a specific expression. As well as my unwillingness to mold, to be quiet or to be invisible. Uncanny reflects everything that I choose to embrace whether it be uncomfortable or not, my embrace for darkness as well as the light is always there.
Anna Divinagracia
Siren, When I Get Home,
Siren, on Days I Feel Like Missing,
SIREN, 2021
Photography
Anna Divinagracia is a Director and Photographer based in Baltimore City. She was born in Davao City, Philippines and later moved to Baltimore as an immigrant at the age of 12. Through her shared experiences in both cities, she paints a picture narrative of the two cultures that shaped her reality. By blending elements of portraiture, fashion, and fine art photography, her photos tell a story of vivid nostalgia through tenderness and vulnerability.
Ian Feldman
Through the Eyes of a Champion, 2018
Photography
I am the Staff Sports Photographer for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, this gallery puts you on the sidelines of the championship games of UMBC Athletics.
Mariana Orellana
Solace and Tranquility, 2020
Photography
I want people to take inspiration and emotion out of my photography. I want others to be able to see a portrait of mine and feel every emotion from that single moment.
Grace Wojehowksi
Playground Series, 2020
Photography
It's a playground series, they are all film photos and they just represent nostalgia and reminiscing on your past.
Eduardo Orellana
Clever Girl and J & B, 2019
Photography
Hello! My name is Eduardo Orellana, I am an amateur photographer from PG County MD. I have been taking pictures casually for about a year and a half and have focused mainly on places and people that are "exotic" and interesting, in what I've heard people say, in boring MD. My purpose is to show that MD is a great state that has so many opportunities with much more to do and see than what we are led to believe in all places from Baltimore city to the mountains in Frederick.
McCoy Chance
Starchaser, 2021
First Steps, 2020
Photography
Surreal Photography
For me, sometimes the best days are just a walk in the park. You can see people walking their dogs, fighting for social justice in our society, and trying to make a genuine change in their personal psyche. Star Chaser focuses on the everyday, but out of the ordinary experiences we have from day to day that can change our stars. Deep Contrasting colors and imagery help bring the light of the everyday into color.
I took this photo of an artist getting ready to take the first step in his journey as a singer songwriter. The nervousness, anticipation, and excitement that I could visibly imagine, led me to make this design. This photo focuses on the hope and aspiration for someone trying to put themselves out there.
Teddy Jefferson
The Boys, MAMA and Perks of Covid
Film Photography
My name is Teddy and I am an artist from Baltimore County. My work is a product of the life I live and the people I love. The pictures I take aren’t just pictures, but an appreciation of the environment I’m placed in and the moments I don’t want to forget.
Brandon Armstrong
A Collection from My Past, 2019
Photography
At the time these pictures were taken I was in the midst of discovering myself as a whole. I would go on long walks by myself taking photos that had no reasoning behind them. Photography was my escape from reality. It allowed me to create images and my own narrative of my work. Anyone can escape into that reality.