You could say Tony Vasquez’s concert images rock.
The Columbus native’s shots are part of the latest exhibition at 411 gallery, a project of the arts and entertainment district and a space managed by the Columbus Area Arts Council. The display will run through April 4 at the venue open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at 411 Sixth St. downtown.
Vasquez fell in love with music as a youth, fascinated with everything from artist’s album liner notes to the album art.
“Ultimately with the images in the exhibit, I was interested in capturing my impressions of the fleeting moments of sound and colors that the performers were creating to inspire and share with others,” Vasquez said.
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His shots, covering acts ranging from David Byrne and the Talking Heads to Alabama Shakes, highlight a bit of the passion of concert artists. His photos are displayed under the title “Impressions of Sound and Color.”
Vasquez, who graduated from Ball State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fine art photography, has been a full-time freelance photographer and business owner for the past six years in Columbus.
“It is my belief when a photographer can master and push beyond the technical aspects to find their voice, that’s when a photograph can be considered art,” he said.
Besides the music scene, Vasquez has captured art-oriented images of everything from local leaf-littered alleyways to the well-lit Indianapolis skyline reflected at night time in the White River.
“The inspiration for my photographs comes from my pursuit to continually evolve and the never-ending desire to observe the world around me,” Vasquez said. “I draw influences from films, literature, music, nature and, of course, from other photographers.”
The exhibition also features two other displays. One is from the local teen Nomad Art group. And the other is from visual communications students of Ivy Tech Community College.
Kathryn Armstrong, the arts council’s executive director, saluted Vasquez’s work for “providing a creative framework for Nomad Art’s site-specific installation and inspiring new work by the visual communications students of Ivy Tech Community College.”
An artist reception will be held on the exhibition’s final day from 5 to 7 p.m. April 4. Light bites and drinks will be served.
The 411 gallery is a space for exhibitions, events and collaborations with Columbus’ arts and cultural organizations. It is supported by a grant from the Efroymson Family Fund, with additional funding from the Columbus Area Visitors Center, the Columbus Museum of Art and Design and individual local supporters.
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What: The latest exhibition at 411 gallery, featuring three distinct displays: photos from local photographer Tony Vasquez, works from the Nomad Art teen group and visual communications students of Ivy Tech Community College.
When: Through April 4. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
Where: 411 Sixth St. in downtown Columbus.
Information: artsincolumbus.org or tonyvasquez.net.
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