Ancestor's Gaze

The Ancestor’s Gaze was photographed in the hills west of Petaluma, in Northern California's Sonoma County, using medium-format film on a Hasselblad 500CM. An old oak stands beside an exposed formation of ancient rock, in a landscape that was once part of the region's extensive oak savanna. The rock belongs to the Franciscan Complex, a geological formation whose history stretches back tens of millions of years.

The photograph brings together two different measures of time. The oak recalls a landscape shaped by generations of Indigenous stewardship, when acorns from these woodlands were an important source of food. Beside it, the rock carries a far older geological history. Together, they stand as witnesses to the changes that have unfolded across the surrounding hills.

Originally created for WEST OF MORNING — Analog Landscapes of Northern California, Kim’s inaugural exhibition at fís Gallery, this Studio Edition offers another way to collect the work while preserving the character and craftsmanship of the original photograph.

Each print is produced on Hahnemühle fine art paper, presented with a 3-inch archival white mat, and finished in a handcrafted solid wood frame with a 1.6-inch-wide profile, made in Germany. Available in black, white, or natural oak, each Studio Edition arrives ready to hang.