Emily Whittle brings photos of Vietnam to art gallery

By Nicole Lord
Around the Campus Editor

The art gallery hosted a new exhibit entitled "Photographs with the Plum Village Sangha: Vietnam 2005."

The show featured the photographs of artist Emily Whittle.

Photo by Nicole Lord Artist Emily Whittle speaks with a guest in the art gallery about her work. Whittle displayed 45 photos in her show.

Emily Whittle is a 26-year native of Red Springs, whose main focus in life is bookwork.

Whittle has created other books of photos from places she has visited in the past.

"I don't really take pictures," Whittle said. "I'm not primarily a photographer."

The showing featured 45 photos of Vietnam, its people and the landscapes.

Whittle accompanied the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, on his return to the country after 40 years. The inspiration for Whittle's photos came from the surrounding media.

There were cameras and reporters looking for the news aspect of the trip.

Whittle, on the other hand, chose to focus her camera in a different direction. The direction she chose highlighted the everyday presence of Vietnam.

Whittle opened the showing with a speech before students and faculty made their way around the gallery.

The art gallery is located in Locklear Hall and is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.