corey arnold | FECAL FACE DOT COM

Wonderland in Belgium w/ Corey Arnold
Thursday, 05 April 2012 /// Written by Corey Arnold

Last weekend was the opening of a massive photo festival in Knokke-Heist, Belgium called Wonderland. Christophe De Jaeger, the curator of the Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels (BOZAR), chose six international photographers to show their work all over town, indoors and outdoors on a gigantic scale. The photographers include Michael Light, Ruud Van Empel, Sanna Kannisto, Olaf Otto Becker, Corey Arnold, and Gerco De Ruijter.

Knokke is a high class beach town on the coast of Belgium, and they spared no expense producing enormous inkjet prints on Canvas and Dibond plates. The show was designed to be a bike tour taking you on a scavenger hunt around the city and countryside. I also had a solo exhibition of Fish-Work images at the Sincfala Museum in Heist. Here are some snaps! There is also an cultural TV station interview online that you can watch the here. The Europeans know how to spend money on public art. The show show runs through June. www.fotofestival.be -Corey Arnold

Corey Arnold @Richard Heller
Thursday, 01 March 2012 /// Written by Trippe

Portland based photographer Corey Arnold is currently showing his commercial fishing photos at LA's Richard Heller Gallery. He showed at FFDG last year (pics).

We meant to post this before it opened, but dang it, got caught up and spaced it. In any case, be sure to view these in person. The show, Wolf Tide, is on display through March 31st.

2nd Printing of Fish-Work
Tuesday, 01 November 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Portland based photographer Corey Arnold's (2010 FFDG show) Fish-Work book, which sold out in 4 months, has been named one of the best books of the year by Photo District News and American PHOTO Magazines. Nazraeli Press has just released their second printing.

The Fecal Face online shoppe has a few signed copies left of the first edition here.

Fecal Face online shop has a few signed copies of Corey Arnold's Fish-Work available here.

Fishing With My Dad is up and running in Portland through Nov 27th at Ampersand.

Fishing With My Dad
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 /// Written by Corey Arnold

I grew up in Southern California in the little suburb of Vista. My dad grew avocados and tropical plants for money, so when I wasn't spending weekends planting or picking fruit, we were usually at sea sport fishing for mako, bonito, yellowtail, dorado, and rockfish or casting in lakes all over the west. My father's obsession with fish rubbed off on me and I quickly became known as "the fisherman" in elementary school. I lugged around a huge shark trolling rod for halloween many years in a row, and would often bring odd sea creatures and baby sharks to class for show and tell. My dad is also partially responsible for my photography habit. Every fishing trip of my life was meticulously documented, or at least the catch of the day was recorded. I've recently been thumbing throw those old photographs with nostalgia. Not only are they a record of how much more fashionable I was in the 80's, they are also telling of how my early exposure to nature, the sea, and the endless quest to find fish helped solidify my fate as both photographer and commercial fisherman.

I've compiled some of the most compelling images into a series called "Fishing with My Dad 1978-1995". The images were shot by either my father or myself, as we would take turns photographing each other holding our catch. Nazraeli Press recently published a small book of these images as part of their One Picture Book Series #69 which includes an original signed print and lives in a limited edition of 500. You can watch a little youtube video of the book HERE

A solo exhibition of the images will open this Saturday, October 15th, 6-10pm at Ampersand Gallery and Fine Books in Portland, Oregon. My dad and I will be present. Hope to see you there!

-Corey Arnold

Corey Arnold @Bold Hype NYC
Wednesday, 14 September 2011 /// Written by Marty Machado

A handful of Alaska salmon fishermen converged in New York this past week to support our pal Corey Arnold at his opening with Bold Hype Gallery. The show included two other talented photographers Peter Beste and Céline Clanet. The work looked great, I highly recommend checking out the show if you're in town. -Martin Machado

Peter Beste shot

More Copies of Fish-Work
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 /// Written by Trippe

We just got in a few more copies of Corey Arnold's great book, Fish-Work: The Bering Sea, in our online shop. Beautifully printed, this large (12"x15") 80 paged book was published by Nazraeli Press and limited to an edition of 1,000.

If you're in San Francisco, you can also stop in FFDG to pick up a copy and view West, Wester, Westest. Hours: Wed - Sat (1-6pm) - 248 Fillmore St @Haight.

[preview the book here]

Breakfast w/ Corey Arnold
Tuesday, 22 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

What are some of the stories you’ve heard from other fisherman?

I’ve met a guy in Seattle that quit crab fishing because he was in one of the biggest boats: a 150 foot crab boat that was 35 foot tall off the water to the windows. While he was driving, he had a wave that hit him so hard it went through all the windows, ripped the roof off, picked him up and somehow catapulted him fifty feet down onto the back deck. He survived and didn’t break anything. A total miracle.

Kirsten Incorvaia interviews Corey Arnold @My Love For You

Corey Arnold's show FISH-WORK is in its final week @FFDG. Be sure to stop in to view this great show before it comes down Sunday. Hours: Wed - Fri (3-6pm) & Sat (12-6pm)

Corey Arnold Tonight @FFDG
Friday, 11 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

FISH-WORK
Photographs by Corey Arnold
Opening: Friday, Feb 11th, 2011 (6-9pm)
@FFDG

Our last show at 66 Gough St before we move to Fillmore @Haight. Corey will be at the opening signing copies of his new book FISH-WORK which will be for purchase (online here too)

Portland based photographer and fisherman himself (Corey's starred on the popular show Deadliest Catch), Corey Arnold, has been traveling the world documenting the world's fisherman since 2002. His show at Fecal Face Dot Gallery (opening Feb 11th, 2011) will feature a selection of photos featured in his new book, Fish-Work, Published by Nazraeli Press 2010 & available online here (Corey will be signing copies of his book from 6 to 7pm during the opening).

In 2009 PDN named Corey one of the top 30 emerging photographers. Corey Arnold is represented by Charles A. Hartman Fine Art in Portland, Richard Heller Gallery in Santa Monica and commercially by Redeye Represents in Los Angeles.

Corey Arnold @FFDG Friday
Thursday, 10 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

Be sure to get a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle today as Corey Arnold's photo below is the collector's poster this week.

FISH-WORK, photography by Corey Arnold opens on Friday @FFDG.NET (6-9pm). Be sure to stop by as this is the last opening in the tiny space on Gough before we move to Fillmore & Haight next month.

Corey Arnold photo featured in Chronicle's collector poster series in today's paper.

Corey Arnold Fri (2/11) @Fecal Face Dot Gallery
Tuesday, 08 February 2011 /// Written by Trippe

FISH-WORK
Photographs by Corey Arnold
Opening: Friday, Feb 11th, 2011 (6-9pm)
@FFDG

Fish-Work is the title of an ongoing life project documenting my journey as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and my travels abroad exploring fishing cultures around the world. Since 1995, I’ve worked seasonally as a crab, salmon, cod, and halibut fisherman in Alaska. But it wasn’t until 2002 that I picked up a camera and got serious about telling the story of this unique little world I’d stumbled upon.

I have a love-hate relationship with commercial fishing. The work is often grueling and mundane, sometimes dangerous and soul crushingly repetitive. But inversely, there is beauty and freedom in the act of manual labor, surrounded by a vast and remote sea wilderness. For a fisherman, the reward is often found in the amazing stories of triumph, disaster, and pride that are brought home to the civilized world. I’ve chosen to tell my story in photographs.

This selection has been culled from my most recent three month journey living amongst European fisherman in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Scotland, Greece, Germany, Poland, Norway and Ireland. They are accompanied by my images from seven years of work aboard the Bering Sea crab boat Rollo and my upcoming series Graveyard Point, the name of the seasonal salmon fishing community I’m a part of in Bristol Bay, Alaska. -Corey Arnold

About Corey Arnold
Portland based photographer Corey Arnold (34), travels the world shooting magazine assignments and personal projects while moonlighting as a commercial fisherman in Alaska 2-3 months per year. His photographic chronicles of the commercial fishing lifestyle in Europe and Alaska have been exhibited in galleries worldwide. His work has been featured in The Paris Review, Juxtapoz, Artweek, Italian Rolling Stone, Esquire, PDN, The Guardian UK, The Chicago Tribune, and Outside Magazine. PDN named him one of the top 30 emerging photographers for 2009. Corey Arnold is represented by Charles A. Hartman Fine Art in Portland, Richard Heller Gallery in Santa Monica and commercially by Redeye Represents in Los Angeles.

download Corey Arnold's resume

Fish-Work: The Bering Sea
Thursday, 03 February 2011 /// Written by Van Edwards

Fish-Work: The Bering Sea
Photographs by Corey Arnold
Hardcover, 15 x 12 inches, 80 pages, 47 four-color plates
Published by Nazraeli Press 2010
For sale in the Fecal Face Online Shoppe (signed copies)

We're happy to preview our friend Corey Arnold's new book here on Fecal Face. Corey has been traveling the world documenting the world's fishermen through grants when he's not fishing himself in the depths of the Bearing Sea. He's starred on the show Deadliest Catch. His photos have been featured everywhere from Juxtapoz, Rolling Stone, to the The Paris Review.

Corey Arnold opens his solo show Fish Work @Fecal Face Dot Gallery on February 11th here in San Francisco.

The photographs in “Fish-Work: The Bering Sea” capture moments from Arnold’s grueling retreats as a crew member aboard a fishing boat to the Bering Sea. With scenes of boat life so vivid that some shots can induce fear or seasickness, the artist’s perspective also reveals the tender soulfulness of a fisherman’s extended life at sea. His skillful compositions depict the simultaneous bravery, toil, humor and gumption that “fish-work” demands. Yet the series also illuminates the aesthetic sublimity that can only be experienced, ultimately, by those willing to risk their lives where the sea breaks its back. Having survived several seasons afloat these icy and unforgiving waters, we are lucky that Arnold has taken time to document his artistic impressions of this rare lifestyle and extended us a vicarious glimpse.

Marty, Corey and Sarah Palin's Alaska
Tuesday, 04 January 2011 /// Written by Corey Arnold & Marty Machado

Corey Arnold and Martin Machado are both artists who met through Fecal Face and through their love of fishing in the wilds of Alaska. This joint blog illustrates last summer's salmon fishing trip to Bristol Bay, Alaska with hard labor working 12 hour days avoiding grizzly bears and total exhaustion. --> check it.

Marty opens a show of his paintings w/ Todd Freeman and Aleksandra Zee this Saturday, January 8th at Gallery Hijinks

Bonfire, Booze, and giant hand guns. -photo: Corey Arnold

Ben Thomas with 30 pound King Salmon -photo: Corey Arnold

Conor Kelly and Pat Weber human powering the operation. -photo: Corey Arnold

Corey Arnold @Charles A. Hartman Fine Art
Friday, 03 December 2010 /// Written by Daniel Cronin

Daniel Cronin emailed over some photos from Corey Arnold's opening last night in Portland of FISH-WORK Europe where Corey also showcased his new book FISH-WORK: The Bering Sea.

How to be a European Fisherman Photographer
Thursday, 02 December 2010 /// Written by Corey Arnold

We're very excited to post another great blog from our pal and great photographer Corey Arnold who started his fishing life on the Bering Sea fishing for crab. One of the ships he worked on, The Rollo, was featured on the TV show Deadliest Catch. It was then that Corey began his life's work of documenting the lives and work of the world's fishermen.

His feature How to be an Alaskan Fisherman is on of Fecal Face's most popular, and he opens the solo show FISH-WORK Europe on Dec 2nd (through Jan 15) at Portland's Charles A. Hartman Fine Art gallery. His forthcoming book FISH-WORK: The Bering Sea can be pre ordered on his website. He'll be signing copies and showing photos @Fecal Face Dot Gallery on Feb 11, 2011. This blog documents his time recently photographing the lives of Europe's fishermen and women... and it rules.

Fish Processors in Vigo, Spain

Earlier this year, I received and email from a freelance producer in the UK asking if I was interested in a long term photo project documenting the state of the commercial fishing industry in the European Union. The job was for a coalition of sustainable fishing advocates, commercial fishing groups, and environmental organizations called Ocean2012 that are working together to reform the currently messy Common Fisheries Policy in the European Union. It was a pretty mind blowing request. I'd decided long ago that photographing the commercial fishing lifestyle around the world would be my life's work. Not my only work, but definitely a subject matter that I'd like to revisit annually in some form throughout life. Needless to say, it was the perfect match. I still can't believe my luck.

Dutch Owned Beam Trawler in the North Sea

The original plan was for me to take photographs that focus on one large and one small port in each of four countries around Europe, covering the major fishing ports and regions. I would photograph everything related to fishing including the fishermen, their families, communities, processors, shipyards, netmakers, and everyone that would be affected by changes in common fisheries policy management in Europe. My intentions were simple: Create a broad image library of the current state of the commercial fishing industry in Europe (and have a lot of fun doing it).

Corey Arnold - 10yrs of Fecal Face
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 /// Written by Trippe

Everyday leading up to FECAL FACE DOT COM 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW -- Opening Friday September 10th @The Luggage Store Gallery (6-8pm) with After party @Mezzanine (9-2am) featuring live musical performances by Kelley Stoltz, Sonny Smith, and Ty Segall - w/DJ Ted Shred, we'll be adding short interviews with artists participating.

We've been following Corey Arnold's career for many years now. Somewhere on the internet we saw his images of men crab fishing on the Bearing Sea many years before the show Deadliest Catch was on the air. In fact, Corey was on the 1st and 2nd seasons of the show (Rollo). Corey's photos illustrated a sight few had witnessed. With a Fecal Face like minded sensibility (we later learned that Corey grew up skateboarding), Corey captured the harsh life of fishing in the Bearing Sea but his stunning images also incorporate a subtle whimsical edge that separates his work from so many others who might dare to endure the grueling fishing lifestyle. His photos are sincere where his love of the sea is quiet and respectful while skirting a witty edge.

Corey Arnold was nominated for the Aperture West Book Prize, the Santa Fe Prize for Photography, and named one of PDN’s 30 for 2009. In 2010, Corey has been commissioned by the PEW charitable trust to photograph the state of the EU fishing industry.

What were you up to in the year 2000?

I was broke after 5 years of school, living in SF. Parking cars for a living. Then I took off for Europe wearing a backpack. I traveled from the North Cape of Norway down to Sicily. That trip transformed my perception of the world forever. Then I came back to SF and parked more cars.

How has your work changed in the last 10 years?

10 years ago I was mostly a black and white picture taker. I was obsessed with darkness, grainy film, night animals, empty landscapes. I was still searching for a niche to run with and experimenting a lot. I used to spend one night a week wandering around the Presidio Park (near Golden Gate Bridge) photographing raccoons and empty buildings. At some point, things lightened up and I started shooting color. I moved to Norway in 2002 and at the same time started crab fishing seasonally in Alaska. Maybe I got inspired by all the darkness to seek a lighter existence. The past 3 years, I've had non stop travel assignments and exhibitions. Have barely had time to update my website... but sitting on a ton of unseen work. Pictures are growing larger too.

What did you think 2010 would be like back then?

I think that I would have thought that I (that's confusing) I'd be a carpenter or doing something for money other then photography. It never really occurred to me that I could do this for a living.

Guest: Cody Hudson
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 /// Written by Cody Hudson

Cody Hudson & Corey Arnold had a great show at Andrew Rafacz Gallery - Chicago. Cody blogs up the experience.