Ben McClure is exhibiting photos at Nelson Gallery this month, with a focus on two recent trips to the west of Ireland –as well as a group show called “Urban Color.” McClure began as a commercial photographer in Norfolk, but the urge to create his own original work soon dominated. He began by setting up a mobile studio outside his office and took portraits of the people passing by. They were special images, introspective and powerful and he began to get recognition. That led to a show at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach, and his reputation began to soar. In the subsequent 27 years, he has become widely recognized for his work with over 90 solo exhibitions, including the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk and the Taubman in Roanoke. The opening reception for his show at Nelson Gallery is this Friday, Dec. 5.
