Susan Middleton
In her new book SPINELESS photographer Susan Middleton offers us a rare glimpse into the mysterious and beguiling world of marine invertebrates. A unique blend of art and science, this special presentation will reveal the spectacular diversity and astonishing beauty of this less celebrated realm of life upon which all other life depends. Susan will take us on a visual journey through the fascinating realm of marine invertebrates, creatures lacking a backbone, that comprise over 98% of marine fauna. Witness the elegant natural design, fragility, and resiliency of marine invertebrates while Susan shares anecdotes about her field work and the process of making her stunning images, highlighting the essential role of marine invertebrates in the web of life. A book signing will follow the presentation.
Susan Middleton is an acclaimed photographer, author, lecturer, and Guggenheim fellow. Blending art and science, she specializes in the portraiture of rare and endangered animals, plants, sites, and cultures; has worked extensively with National Geographic and currently serves as Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences. Her most recent book is Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates, the Backbone of Life(Abrams 2014). Middleton’s photograph of the plastic stomach contents of a young albatross was selected by National Geographic as one of the “50 Best Photographs” published in their 125 year history. Her work is represented in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Art and the National Academy of Sciences. She lives in San Francisco.