Image by Elaine Heron Selected by PhotoPlace Gallery
Ellen Gilkerson | Published on 4/20/2025
Trees Taking Over the Temple, a complex black & white image by Elaine Heron, was selected for the Online Gallery portion of the Ruins and Remnants Exhibition at PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, Vermont. PhotoPlace sought images that reveal the stories etched into architectural spaces and the objects left behind—the marks, structures, and artifacts that speak to our histories and inspire contemplation.The juror was Aline Smithson, a Los Angeles-based visual artist, editor, and educator. Thirty-five images were selected for the in-house exhibition, and an additional 50 images were selected for the online-only gallery.
The exhibition will run from May 2 through May 23. You can view all the images at: https://photoplacegallery.com/online-juried-shows/ruins-and-remnants/gallery/exhibition-gallery (exhibition gallery) and https://photoplacegallery.com/online-juried-shows/ruins-and-remnants/gallery/online-gallery (online gallery).
Elaine says: I took this image of a 12th century temple covered by strangler (appropriately named) fig trees in Cambodia in 2024. While most ruins seem to get to their dilapidated state through the actions of weather, vandals, and other destructive forces, this building has gotten to this state though a different mechanism—plants. I find it fascinating how over many centuries these trees have encased the building to the point that they seem part of the structure. Although the monk is framed by the building/tree, he is an outsider who no longer interacts with the temple built by his ancestors.
Elaine Heron: Trees Taking Over the Temple