Luminous intermissions are captured by Judith Birdsong as she focuses on the effects of light on architectural features. I can easily imagine Birdsong spending days anticipating the gift of perfect geometric pattern abstracting the underlying structure. Her transformations of corporeal structures is reminiscent of works by Ruth Bernhard, who is featured in the print holdings at Oswald. Though Bernhard is better known for her studies of female nudes, one can find striking similarities between the two photographers. When I saw Birdsong’s Doorway to the Bath House (Casa Perez), 2004, I was immediately reminded of Bernhard’s Straws, 1938. The underlying beauty of light is experienced in both works. As an aside, Birdsong’s portrait was photographed by Austin photographer Debra Sugerman, an outstanding artist in her own right, who has explored similar effects.

This article appears in February 10 • 2006.

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