Soomin Ham
Local photographer Soomin Ham shares what she's looking forward to this fall. Courtesy of Ham

Soomin Ham has been a leading photographer in the D.C. area since her 2016 exhibit, Sound of Butterfly, at the now-defunct Flashpoint Gallery. In that exhibit, Ham channeled heartache over the death of a parent by sifting through her late mother’s possessions and photographing them, often transforming the images through the use of water, snow, and ice, creating poignant metaphors for the fragility of life. She has subsequently exhibited frequently at Alexandria’s Multiple Exposures Gallery. Ham studied oboe at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, then earned a master’s degree in photography and new media at New York University’s now-discounted joint program with the International Center of Photography.

Here are the three exhibits Ham says she’s most looking forward to seeing this fall:

Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, opened Aug. 16 

The Island is a single-channel video debuting in Washington, D.C. that delves into the power of Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s storytelling,” says Ham. “His visual narratives weave together inherited history and memory, blurring the lines between fact and fiction in poetic and transcendent ways. Given the similar colonial history of my country, I feel a deep resonance with his work, which is delivered in a poetic manner.” Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island runs through May 4 at SAAM, G and 8th Streets NW. Free.

Endless Transformations: The Alchemy of Connie Imboden at American University Museum, opens Sept. 7

Connie Imboden, “Sainthood.” Gelatin silver print, 28×24 inches (framed).

“Connie Imboden explores various subjects such as landscapes, trees, portraits, and self-portraits to discover what the world and photography offer,” Ham says. “Her endless dedication to experimenting with different approaches and new materials, while she delves into working on the same elements, has inspired my art practice.

“In her show, Endless Transformations: The Alchemy of Connie Imboden, it is remarkable to see how she uses the camera to create layered and fragmented visions of the human figure.” Endless Transformations: The Alchemy of Connie Imboden opens Sept. 7 at the AU Museum, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Free

Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return at the National Portrait Gallery and Archives of American Art, opens Oct. 18

“Gonzalez-Torres redefined portraiture by going beyond the traditional portrayal of individuals,” says Ham. “His use of simple methods and ephemeral forms has been influential in my exploration of loss, memory, and identity.

“Untitled” (Portrait of Ross in L.A.), 1991. Candies in variously colored wrappers, endless supply. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Ideal weight: 175 lb. © Estate Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Courtesy Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Photo by Yan Tao; Courtesy of Rockbund Art Museum. Installation view: Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai, China. 30 Sep. 25 to Dec. 2016. Cur. Larys Frogier and Li Q

“One of his works, ‘Untitled (Lover Boys),’ which features a pile of candy, symbolizes the loss of his loved one and the concept of eternity. Always to Return will mark the first major presentation of the artist’s work in D.C. in over 30 years.” A full circle moment: According to Ham, Gonzalez-Torres was in the same NYU program that she attended, but “much earlier than I did” it. Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return opens  October 18 and runs through July 6 at the Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art. Free.

Check out more of our 2024 Fall Arts Guide here.