Susan Herman's photography has been described as both socio-journalistic and clandestine. Like a silent feline, she comes at her subject from where she is least expected, and the result is an astonishingly new perspective on the ordinary and the sublime. Never can her subject be observed alone, for constantly seen in Herman's work is her urge to collage. She documents both the random and coincidental meetings of the old and new, East and West, truth and facade, hope and despair, thus providing the viewer pertinent information necessary for meaningful assumptions. Herman states that inspiration is found in "the often hidden beauty and intrigue in everyday things and commonplace scenes." Especially intriguing are her Egyptian photographs, captured during her long stint in Cairo. — PB Sargent

About Susan Herman
Susan Herman's Egyptian photos are the fruit of a long residence in Cairo, Egypt. Her career began evolving from Egyptology to photography toward the end of her stay in Egypt when she acquired a funky Lomo camera. Each day of her last few years there was spent joyfully snapping shots of the beauty in her surroundings that had
always thrilled her. Herman studied photography and metalsmithing at Interlochen Arts Academy, and she earned a BA in Egyptology from UC Berkeley. Recently relocated to Costa Mesa, California, she has exhibited her work at The Camp in Costa Mesa and at Lost and Found in Hollywood. Her exhibit at the Laguna Hills Community Center (March 2004), "Egypt, Mother of the World," was her first solo show, and her work is now being included in West Coast collections.