Meet local artist Christopher “Boats” OShana, a commercial and fine art photographer who creates enthralling photography that captures truly moving imagery while exploring a variety of subjects.
OShana discovered his passion for photography early on, saying “Mesmerized by he beauty of the Mediterranean, I started taking photographs during my first deployment in the service in 1985.” A retired Navy Veteran, OShana served 20 years in the military and now currently works for the Department of Defense. With a renewed enthusiasm for his photography he decided to pursue photography full time in 2007 and hasn’t looked back. In 2013 he was granted a workspace and an internship with photographer and local business owner Wayne Rainey at the monOrchid Gallery and Rainey Studios. Since joining the monOrchid family OShana assists with a variety of photography and video shots, exciting events, as well as assisting Shade Projects as preparator of their two galleries and is a true asset in what makes the monOrchid great.
His work ranges from captivating portraits of PSTD Veterans, special events, still life’s, as well as the Arizona landscape. The majority of his recent work has focused on giving veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD a voice while giving a face to PTSD. This series of work gives the viewer an intimate look at the private lives of a few of our brave veterans suffering from PTSD, which OShana captured while speaking with each veteran about their experiences.
Currently he is working on a new series of work, the first piece titled “The Belt of Venus, Chapter 1” that OShana has meticulously chosen his location, subjects and lighting creating an intriguing and unusual and dynamic scene, a clandestine encounter that appears to be straight of a classic film. This series is inspired by famed photographer Gregory Crewdson, OShana states “I am drawn to the dramatic and cinematic style of surreal events that Crewdson is able to achieve in his work”. Last May he participated in ARTELPHX 4 creating an interactive experience creating “The Belt of Venus, Chapter 3” featuring two models interacting in a hotel room while viewers watched from the doorway while OShana photographed the interaction capturing the viewers in a voyeuristic act.
OShana’s photography has received several awards including the Maricopa County Community College District Artist of Promise winner in 2011 and the Western Eye Photography Competition 2012. His artwork has been featured in several publications both online and in print including The Recruiter Journal, North Valley Magazine, Phoenix New Times, YabYum Music & Arts, Explore Art Phoenix, and LocalRevibe Magazine. He has exhibited his photography across the valley including this past fall at the Banner University Medical Center, following a joint exhibition in Bokeh Gallery at the monOrchid in June. Next up OShana is guest curating a juried group exhibition at Bokeh Gallery this April 2016 titled “The Accidental Tourist” highlighting cell phone photography of Arizona.
OShana is busy prepping for his upcoming solo exhibition in Bokeh Gallery at the monOrchid slated for June 2016, where he is set to debut new work. Want to learn more about artist Christopher OShana and his amazing work visit at OShana Digital Productions http://vermontboats.wix.com/oshanadp and be sure to like him on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/oshanadp. *Images are courtesy and copyright of the artist Christopher OShana and portrait is by Wayne Rainey.
