The summer began for Jeffery Becton of Deer Isle with an acceptance to Photo London for a solo booth at Somerset House. This was accomplished once his gallery, which is not known for carrying photography, Koman Fine Arts in Vero Beach, Florida submitted images of his work.
While there, Forbes Magazine ran an article choosing the top 10 exhibitors out of the 128 galleries who had gained access — many of which represented multiple fine art photographers. Much to our surprise, Becton, being relatively unknown on either side of the pond, was named #8 on the Forbes list.
Glowing articles followed in two issues of Artlyst and Frames Magazine who featured an article written by Chris Crosman, formerly of The Farnsworth Museum, then Crystal Bridges and who is now living as an art writer/consultant in Thomaston. The articles were followed by a podcast with London art critic Jean Wainwright and one with W. Scott Olsen for Frames. The chief art curator, Katherine Gazzard, from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich came down to visit Becton and a team from CNN Visited the booth voicing interest in meeting with him the next time he is in London.
He was shortlisted this year at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition for his image WTF, which was photographed at painter Gretna Campbell’s summer studio on Great Cranberry. It captures the inescapable force behind the creative process, general emotional angst and climate change – all tied up in one chaotic bow – you choose…
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And he just heard from the British Journal of Photography and 1854 prize committee that his image Hallowed Ground has been selected as a winner in OpenWalls vol. 4 2023. The prize includes participation in a group show later in July at Galerie Huit Arles, Arles, France.
The house which became Hallowed Ground was photographed years ago when Stonington artist Jill Hoy was living there on King Row in Deer Isle. When he learned that her home was to be sold, he made this as a meditative of memorial.
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Becton’s work will be at Cove Street Arts in Portland for a group summer show curated by Bruce Brown called ‘Water’ which opens on July 20 5-7 p.m. and runs through Sept. 16.
Opening in January 2024 he will have a solo show at The Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
