Steven Rotter

Image © Steven Rotter

Artist Statement

Steven Rotter is known for his captivating images of quotidian subjects, including food, hand tools, and various objects that serve as metaphors for people and landscapes. However, Rotter has recently delved into portraiture.

Rotter's departure into portraiture demonstrates his versatility as an artist. While his previous work often explored metaphorical subjects, his foray into capturing the human face introduces a more intimate and personal aspect to his photography. By focusing on the individual, Rotter explores the complexities of human emotions and experiences.

Overall, Steven Rotter's Subway Somnambulism series showcases his ability to create captivating and thought- provoking images. By drawing inspiration from Medieval and Renaissance devotional paintings, Rotter infuses his images with a sense of worship, spirituality and a shared ideal of beauty. The series also pays homage to Walker Evans' book Many Are Called, which documented passengers on the New York City subway in the 1930s. Like Evans, Rotter uses photography as a way to explore the human condition and society at large.

Through his unique perspective and keen observation, Rotter invites viewers to appreciate the beauty and significance of everyday moments. Rotter's choice to focus specifically on women subway riders is notable, as it reflects a uniform ideal of beauty and worship. By featuring subjects who often share similar traits, such as closed eyes and peaceful expressions, the artist creates a visually cohesive collection that emphasizes a poetics of beauty.

Steven Rotter | Sherwood, OR