(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Nassau Club presents "The Shapes of Water" - an exhibition of photography by Tasha O’Neill from November 3 through January 5, 2020. In her show at the Nassau Club, Tasha O'Neill will share with the viewer many examples of snow, ice and frost, raindrops, dew and bubbles, water in motion or puddles - and reflections. Examples span the distance from Carnegie Lake to the Pine Barrens, to Mt. Desert Island, Maine, showing hoar frost, carnivorous plants, ethereal ice crystals, luminous dew drops, giant splashes of ocean water, and much more.
Born and raised in Germany, Tasha O’Neill first saw the world from the back of a VW beetle. Language studies took her to England, France and Italy. Love of adventure brought Tasha to America. Marrying Princeton physics professor, Gerard K O’Neill in 1973, she has made her home here ever since. Following her early widowhood, Tasha experienced a photographic epiphany among frost flowers on the D&R Canal.
O'Neill explains her work for the exhibit.
“Water is the elixir of life but it is more than that, it holds beauty within each droplet, sometimes singly and most of the time in millions combined.”
There are so many definitions for water, but for this nature-loving photographer there are a myriad of documented examples of water in its many shapes.
My journey as a photographer started with a walk along the D&R Canal in the middle of winter when I discovered that frost flowers had formed on the water overnight. The two pictures that I took that morning were life altering in that they led me to nature and to observe and capture what others miss.
I seek out snow, ice and frost, raindrops, dew and bubbles, water in motion or still.
My love for reflections was born that day.
I take special delight in finding reflections in puddles as I did on Campus one day when not only old dormitories, but a vibrant red leaf could be seen. Careful cropping brought out the scene even more vividly.
Then, I also like to experiment by placing a flower in a wine glass and pouring fizzy water over it. The way the tiny bubbles adhere to the surface is much fun and brings out my inner child.
I look for shapes, as in the frozen puddles reminiscent of art deco that a friend directed me to.
On a Christmas jaunt to the Pine Barrens, my friends and I came across the ethereal ice crystals on peaty shallow water.
Kingston in the snow and the stream full of dancing ballerina skirts was another revelation; the Great Blue Heron an extra surprise.
And then there was the hoar frost on the bushes near Harrison St. Bridge. I nearly fainted when I saw this phenomenon, where under the right circumstances, fog freezes into ice crystals coating every surface it lands on. It is quite rare in these parts.
Summers in Maine play a big role in my life and several images were taken there; abstract reflections on ponds while kayaking, finding carnivorous plants and experimenting with them, memorializing a giant splash of ocean water as it hits the rocks and smoothly flows down the surface."
Visitors may purchase her images anytime, as well as note cards at the reception. Her prints are also available in a number of sizes at www.tashaphotography.com
There will be an opening reception on November 3 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
The Nassau Club is located at 6 Mercer Street in Princeton, New Jersey. Visitors should check with the Club that the space is not in use before visiting.
