©Marcy Palmer, “Stars So Far Away” from the series Penumbral Being

Marcy Palmer, a photographer and educator based in Texas, currently teaches photography at the University of Texas at Dallas and Richland College. In her most recent series of photographs, PENUMBRAL BEING, she addresses the fear associated with the genetic risk of mental illness. Her work is personal. With a history of mental illness within her immediate family, she fears for the future of her young son. The photographs portray complicated emotions using visual metaphors, entangling love with fear. With gravity pulling down upon the realities of genetic makeup and the ultimate uncertainties of life, the pull of love carries its own message.

“We are all a cosmic accident.” – Maria Popova, poet, writer

This project explores the emotional landscape of vulnerability, loss, joy, and gratitude.  It stems from my personal experience of having a close family member with schizophrenia and another family member with a related mental illness.  Beyond them, the genetic map of the illness is unclear, however I have a young son with an undetermined future. 

Elements from the Big Bang exist in all of us, and with this project I question how does our chemistry determine who we are?  How does that stardust in our blood affect our future selves?  How do we live with the chance and uncertainty that is a part of our daily lives?  How do we find the beauty in all of it?

Marcy Palmer’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally at The Griffin Museum of Photography, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, The Berlin Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary Photography (GE), The Brighton Photo Fringe Festival (UK), The Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Vermont Center for Photography, The Center for Fine Art Photography, The Photomedia Center, The Watershed Media Centre (UK), Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle, WA, and other venues.  Marcy’s work won Gold in the Fine Art, Abstract category of the PX3, Prix de la Photographie, Paris 2016 awards. Her work was also a finalist in the Fine Art Category for the 7th Edition of the Julia M Cameron Awards.   Marcy has an MFA in Photography & Related Media from the School of Visual Arts and a BS in Studio Art from Skidmore College.

©Marcy Palmer, “The Sun” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “The Moon” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Rainbows Descend From Clouds Sometimes” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Celestral Cerebrum” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Shadow” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Conversations Unsaid” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Trio” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Slice” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Shining” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Gold Sparkle Stars” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Oh My Sweet” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Smoldering” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Butterfly” from the series Penumbral Being

©Marcy Palmer, “Eclipse” from the series Penumbral Being