[Art_beyond_sight_learning_tools] Mind's eye guides blind photographer

[Shelley L. Rhodes]

Times Picayune, Louisiana
Sunday, April 24, 2005

Mind's eye guides blind photographer

By Sheila Stroup

Henry Butler understands why some might question his motives as a fine arts 
photographer.

"I can't blame sighted people for thinking, 'This is kind of a joke,' " the 
legendary jazz and blues pianist and composer said. "Most of them haven't 
been exposed to a blind person being interested in the visual arts."

But Andrea duPlessis, Henry's education outreach coordinator and photography 
assistant, says people who question Henry's motives don't know him.

"Henry has a great intellect, and he's enthusiastic about new ideas," she 
said. "He embraces life with every ounce of energy he has."

She told me about the time Henry talked to a group of blind elementary 
students at Longue Vue Gardens.

"He said, 'Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something you want to 
do. If you believe you can do it, you can. I have a camera, and now I'm 
going to take your picture.' "


Opening doors


Wednesday night, at the opening reception of "How EYE See It: Photography by 
Henry Butler" at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, Henry told the crowd a story 
that illustrated what photography can mean to someone who can't see.

During the summer jazz camp he holds for blind and visually impaired teenage 
musicians, the students received cameras and learned they were going to take 
pictures.

"Their first reaction was, 'I don't know why we're doing this. We're ,' " 
Henry said.

But then they visited Art Silverman's studio, where Art told them about the 
inspiration behind each of his sculptures and let them explore them, giving 
them an introduction to a visual art they could touch.

Henry talked about photography as a way of connecting with the seeing world, 
and he introduced them to renowned photographer Herman Leonard, who got them 
excited about capturing images with a camera.

Soon, they were asking questions and eagerly aiming their cameras at the 
sculptures and at each other.

"It was great to stand back and watch the transformation," Henry said.


'How can I grow?'


Henry, who has been taking photographs since 1984, says he's not out to 
prove anything.

"It's about, 'How can I grow? How can I understand more about the world 
around me?' " he said.

Although he was blinded by glaucoma in infancy and has no memory of seeing, 
he does get images in his mind. When Andrea explains a scene he wants to 
photograph, or someone describes what they see in one of his pictures, he 
gains an insight into how people see things.

"That's very, very interesting to me," he said. "It's just so much fun to 
have everyone involved."

Henry depends on Andrea and Susann Gandolfo, his technical consultant, for 
guidance, but he makes the final decisions about his photographs.

"Most of what I do is a joint work in a way, but there are times when I 
shoot without assistance, letting the camera and my fingers kind of roam 
about, and that's fun, too," he said.

His new exhibit features uninhibited Mardi Gras scenes, haunting landscapes 
and several faces you will recognize.

Taking photographs, making music and sharing his gifts with kids are just a 
few of the many ways Henry tries to understand more about the world around 
him

"When we went to Ireland five or six years ago, I played darts," he said. 
"Of course, we had people moving out of the way pretty fast, but I was 
hitting bull's-eyes a lot."

He also has bowled, skied cross-country, shot pool and had several memorable 
driving experiences.

"It's all about finding balance," he said. "It's about living a joyous 
life."

A second reception, including a performance by Henry, will be Thursday from 
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, 841 Carondelet St. "How EYE 
See It" will be on display until May 4. Gallery hours are Tuesday through 
Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 
photographs will benefit the jazz camp for blind and visually impaired 
teenage musicians. For a complete schedule of Henry's musical performances 
during Jazzfest, visit www.henrybutler.com.

Sheila Stroup can be reached at sstroup at timespicayune.com or (985) 898-4831.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1114323999172000.xml




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