Biography
Rod Lamborn (b. 1970, Idaho) is an accomplished visual artist known for his work in film and photography. Lamborn's early career as a cinematographer took him to the heart of conflict zones where he captured the realities of warlords and their tumultuous landscapes with startling candor and pathos. From such experiences in Chechnya, East Congo, Liberia, and Afghanistan, his work emerges as a testament to the power of visual storytelling. Over the past two decades, his career has included such highlights as seven film collaborations with conceptual artist Rashid Johnson, including SANGUINE which will be exhibited at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, New York in 2025.
Lamborn’s current practice challenges the bounds of photography and its unique ability to conjure liminal space. Through kinesthetic connection to the natural world, he guides his camera in lyrical gestures during exposure, transforming the photographic record into ethereal, painterly scenes. These evocative landscapes result from a fluid interplay of time, light, and place encapsulated within a single frame.
His creative inspiration is rooted in esoteric and religious studies complemented by a profound connection to nature.
Artist Statement
Moved by the Theosophical writings of Annie Bessant and C.W. Leadbeater in "Thought Forms: A Record of Clairvoyant Investigation," I became intrigued by the concept of encoding intentions into art. They suggest the vibration of art may “awaken sympathetic vibrations” acting as an energetic antenna capable of transmitting inner thought through an outward expression. This concept is the genesis of my premise: to suspend a traditional way of creating images and explore a new, unconventional approach.
The Crystalline Lens explores the connections between spirituality, nature, and art. It teases out the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that shape the relationship between the image and the observer. My approach to these ideas is rooted in walking meditation or otherwise a cultivated, heightened state of awareness. This mindset freed me to frame images with a unique intentionality, without looking through the camera’s viewfinder or monitoring the image creation process. It truly became a personal experience where I immersed myself in the moment using my body as an instrument and camera as a witness. Each photograph is an attempt to reveal the intangible and unveil the hidden narratives that lie beneath the surface.
My process maintains the authenticity of space and time without relying on photoshop or digital manipulation, with the exception of color grading which is employed to emphasize certain aspects. The lighting is entirely sourced from nature without any artificial augmentation. I choose to shoot on digital formats and combine camera filters, professional glass, and vintage lenses to produce additional effects.
As we focus on the mind’s eye, attune our gazes to that which is most uplifting, expand our awareness of the familiar and unfamiliar, it is possible to communicate through art what the soul may sense.
