By
Lauri Novak
Piece description from the artist
The black and white photograph captures a detailed architectural ornamentation atop the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. Dominating the frame is a stylized, monumental owl sculpture perched on a book, flanked by large, sculpted leaves that appear almost like stylized flames or feathers. The owl, rendered with intricate detail in its plumage and facial features, exudes a sense of wisdom and watchfulness.
The sculpture is mounted on a classical-style column or pilaster, part of a larger building facade featuring arched windows and decorative metalwork railings on a balcony below. In the background, a mix of modern and possibly older architectural styles creates a layered urban backdrop, with vertical lines and varying heights of adjacent buildings. The lighting suggests a bright, sunny day, casting shadows that accentuate the three-dimensional form of the sculpture and the surrounding architectural elements. The composition emphasizes the grandeur and artistic detail integrated into the library's design.
Lauri Novak is an award-winning fine art photographer, mentor and author based outside of Chicago. She has an eye for photographing architecture, traveling as much as possible and just wandering in nature with her camera.
Having grown up within an hour of one of the most architecturally rich cities sparked an interest in architecture early in her life that has been a recurring theme in her work over the years. The camera was ever-present in her life growing up in one form or another, including the many family vacation photos that were taken by her mother. Lauri received her first camera when she was ten. Since then the world has opened up to her through her view-finder and has brought into focus many of the details in life that are often overlooked.
Traveling was also a big part of her life. Her family went somewhere new every year which allowed Lauri to see different parts of the country, different cities and landscapes across the United States. This opened up so many opportunities for photographs and the wandering spirit which is part of who she is to this day. On her own, she traveled overseas and discovered different cultures, amazing historical architecture and the incredible beauty that is everywhere in this world. All the while capturing what she saw with her camera.
One of the questions Lauri is asked most often both by viewers of her work and other photographers is, “How did you see that?”. She works hard to show different perspectives, unique angles and the everyday details of a wide variety of subjects.
Lauri also has a passion for helping others, offers mentorships and runs an online SEE! Photography community for other photographers. She also shares her inspiration and motivational tips for photographers as an author at Photofocus.com.
Her work has been featured in Our USA Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Kane County Chronicle and on WGN-TV. She has had images in several galleries in Chicago, Minneapolis and as part of an international exhibition in Barcelona. Lauri’s work is displayed in hospitals, businesses and hotels around the world.
You can find more of her work at laurinovak.com
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