May 2009 – July 2009
Richard Murai has traveled extensively to photograph cultures and traditions around the world. His compelling images focus on religious and spiritual themes across a broad range of subjects. Documenting visually and historically rich ruins and temples in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Tibet, Murai investigates the visual forms of sacredness and sacred space. Natural and human-made structures reflect the timelessness and mystery surrounding spirituality.
He uses conventional black-and-white film that is developed, digitally scanned, and processed to create pigmented ink prints that successfully resemble traditional darkroom photography. Murai believes a carbon digital printing system is the best way to closely replicate traditional chemical-based imagery. With a wide-format inkjet printer, he is able to produce images with an unprecedented degree of control, repeatability, and image stability.
Murai believes that a greater sensitivity to unfamiliar cultures can quell much of the world’s political and international anxiety and may encourage tolerance and compassion. His primary purpose is to interact with people from different religious backgrounds and cultures through the artistic medium of photography. Murai’s images reaffirm the oneness of the human spirit.
Photography is not permitted.
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