Capturing Character

Grandview native Liz Celeste to exhibit at the GHPL this November

If passion is in the eye of the artist, the first place you should look for Liz Celeste’s passion is behind the lens of one of her cameras.

Since 2005, Celeste has been the owner and photographer at her visual business, Liz Celeste Photography. Embracing all angles, Celeste has shaped her artistic passion into tangible work, making her as inspiring as one of her pictures.

A career in photography was not a surprising choice for Celeste, who can trace her interest back to her childhood in Grandview Heights.

“Maybe it stemmed from thumbing through my parents’ old National Geographic magazines,” she says. “My mom bought me my first SLR camera –an old Pentax – when I was 14 or so, and I loved it.”

It wasn’t until much later that Celeste recognized herself as an artist, though.

“I never received any formal training, so I didn’t really feel comfortable calling myself a photographer until about 2005, when I had my first ‘real’ show,” she says. “It was in a gallery in Mississippi, while I was working as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity.”

Now, acknowledging herself and her work for what they are, Celeste – who spends her days as the deputy director of exhibitions and programs at The Ohio State University’s Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus – has molded her own likes around the work.

“My preference is definitely for non-human subjects – landscapes, flora, pets, etc.,” she says. “And I have an affinity towards things that show their age, a little wear and tear.”

Branching out further, Celeste began taking portraits by request and now has found joy in capturing children on camera, which she says adds balance to her other styles. “It is all a part of the history and stories that I’m drawn to,” she says.

Almost 30 and now living in Clintonville, Celeste never intended to move back to Ohio after attending Wake Forest University and participating in AmeriCorps.

“I told myself I’d never move back to Columbus, but moved back to help on my father’s political campaign, and have now been here happily for the last five years, during which time I got married, had a baby, got a Master of Arts degree from OSU in Arts Policy and Administration, and have another baby due in December,” she says.

Celeste’s father should be familiar to residents: He’s state Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights), who was elected in 2006 to represent Grandview, Marble Cliff and parts of Upper Arlington and Columbus.

Celeste has returned to her roots for her latest exhibit, Shadows on Display, scheduled for Nov. 1-30 at the Grandview Heights Public Library.

“I approach photography as though I am an archaeologist,” she says. “I survey the area, scanning for artifacts, and am partial to anything that shows its age. In addition to paying careful attention to the particular effects of time passed, I take note of an artifact’s location and context, utilizing the information to illustrate a story or history within my photographs.

“I hope to continue to experiment with my photography, pushing different limits and trying out new techniques,” says Celeste. “I’ve also been interested in incorporating more found objects and mixed media into my art, moving into more three-dimensional works.”

Upper Arlington native Sara Mitchell is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

By Tyler Davis