Tony Maher BA

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I was born in San Bernardino California, and lived there until I was 28. I use my artwork as a tool to question the world around me. Frequently, I see things that make me question why, or why not, or a whole myriad of questions about what is going on in the world. I feel that it is my duty to point out what I think is wrong in my community, because if I don't then who will? I received my Bachelor's of Art in Art, with an emphasis in Photography from California State University, San Bernardino in California, in 2002. Since then I have worked at the San Bernardino Sun newspaper as the Photography Lab Technician/Lab Manager/Photographer. Currently, I am pursuing my Master's of Fine Arts degree at Cal State LA. and plan on receiving my MFA degree in 2008.

Artist's Statement:
I started photographing shopping carts since a project I began in 2000 called "San Berdu". Which is an on going documentary project of my city, the city of San Bernardino, California. The photographs are of the lost, the forgotten, and the misplaced in a city that seems to keep growing while maintaining its emptiness. Even though the population in the Inland Empire keeps increasing, the scenes I find are scenes of abandonment and loss. Shopping carts are scattered across the city like nomadic beasts or abandoned vehicles. Everywhere I look my city is crying for help. These pictures are about what we as citizens do to our city and are not about any specific person. I now look at all "lost" shopping carts as representing something else or someone else. They seem to be such a cultural icon that can take on an anthropomorphic imagery.

Tony Maher
www.tonymaher.30art.com