Richard
Gray

98.6 and Veteran's Portrait Project

In the series "98.6," (2009-2015) Gray uses a thermal imaging camera in total darkness to record the phenomenon of body heat. Gray's latest project, "Veteran's Portrait Project," (2017) also uses a thermal camera to produce portraits of U.S. military veterans from St. Joseph County, Indiana. It builds upon the series of previous portrait work named for the normal body temperature of humans. The camera, which is typically used for industrial applications, records the image of one's body heat, revealing unseen levels of physical detail not available through human sight. These "sub-visible" thermal portraits present an enigmatic trace of one's existence, personal and intimate, revealing appearances that are profoundly unique and individualized. The heat image suggests a metaphorical link between a life lived, and the incredible bundle of personal and emotional experiences associated with military service.