1000 Miles Shy
Jay Lawrence Pearsen
February 8th - March 24th
​contact kim@elephantroomgallery.com or 312-361-0281 with any inquiries

1000 Miles Shy is a large-format documentary photography exhibit based on Seattle-based photographer,  Jay Lawrence Pearson's hike of the Appalachian Trail.  In 2005, Pearson embarked on the Northern half of the AT with his 4x5 field camera, with the intention of taking 3 shots a day.  The work speaks strongly from the photographer's point of view through the self-portraits that involve a connection to the trail, as well as the struggle of the hike.  Just as importantly as the work is a self-study, it also pays homage to the people of the area who Pearson hiked with and spent various lengths of time with.  The intimacy of these photographs reveal a unique perspective from Pearson that seems humble and lacks any sense of intrusion into the subject's lives.  The work provides a glimpse into the hiking subculture in America and places this into the setting of a very intimate gallery space.  Since the work was exhibited at UIC in 2006, Pearson has taken time to go back over the photographs, rearrange and reinterpret both the experience of the hike and the work itself.  1000 Miles Shy  includes many more photographs that have been recently printed in Seattle.

'St. Andrews Episcopal' - C-Print - 18.5X20

AT Set - inkjet print - 21X57

'Phatt Chapp at Hikers Welcome Hostel' - inkjet print - 11X14

'Water and Wave' - C-Print - 18.5x24

'Catman's Trail Magic' - C-Print - 20X24

'Dan Quinn's AT House' - C-Print - 19X24

'Mile 151.2' - inkjet print - 16X20

'Low Clearance' - C-Print - 11X14

'Spike' - inkjet print - 17X24

'Ironmaster's Pawn' - C-Print - 11X14

'Botch Stands at Midpoint Marker' - C-Print - 8X10

'Lunch at IGA' - C-Print - 11X14

'Scarecrow' - C-Print - 11X14

'St. Mary's, McAuliffe Hall Hostel' - C-Print - 16X20

'Mr. Beer of Sapporo Japan' - inkjet print - 11X14

'Spring Water' - C-Print - 16X20

'Quarter Trail Ritual' - C-Print - 19X24

'Killington Vista' - C-Print - 17X20.5

'Lightning Rod' - archival lambda print (framed) - 43X52

'Luna Enjoys the Day' - C-Print - 16X20

'Stops A Lot and Vertical Eddie' - C-Print - 16X20

'Counsel' - C-Print - 19X24 - SOLD

'Ken Hahn, Coyote Hunter' - C-Print - 16x20

'Moxie Bald Pond' - C-Print - 18.5X24

'Peanut Butter' - archival lambda print (framed) - 43x52

'Quinn of Dancing Bones Community' - C-Print - 19x23

'Swampy Conditions' - C-Print - 7.5x9.5