Durkan on his Broadway home turf (Image: CHS)
The newest collection of Capitol Hill photographer Tim Durkan’s work can be seen at 12th Ave Arts this month, allowing the viewer to experience the evoked emotions of seeing Seattle both in its expected beauty of Space Needle moons and ferry boats, and the city streets in the raw. The show makes a good stop during Thursday night’s August Capitol Hill Art Walk.
“The show is really about the many sides of Seattle,” Durkan told CHS about the 12th Ave Arts exhibition in an interview at his regular hangout, Cafe Solstice at 10th and Thomas. “I’ve seen people say ‘hey, your pictures are beautiful, they’ve really helped me make up my mind and I’m going to move to Seattle.’ and that’s awesome, but there’s this other side of this city that’s important, that seldom gets told and that’s the gritty. Homelessness is an issue that I care a lot about, especially as it relates to addiction.”
On Facebook, Durkan’s pictures get a lot of attention. Perhaps a large print on the wall can affect someone in a more profound way than joining the masses in a surge of “likes” and “shares.” Regardless of the platform, Durkan has built a reputation in Seattle as someone who knows and understands his city and, especially, his favorite haunt, Broadway.
His depictions of the Space Needle, Mt. Rainier, our ferry fleet, the Olympic Mountains, sunsets and super moons draw attention to the natural beauty surrounding the human accomplishments that reflect our city. His work has been seen around the world, featured on national and international media outlets and shared through social media.
“Not all homeless people are addicts and certainly not all addicts are homeless, but heroin addiction is a major issue in the city right now,” Durkan said. “We can’t walk around without seeing its destructive effects on people. Mental health, physical health, it’s just hardcore. People should be made aware of this alternate reality.”
Born on Capitol hill in 1966, Durkan was raised on Lake Sammamish with a huge family — Durkan’s sister is former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan — and spent his time moving around the city before landing on Capitol Hill in 1994. He works for the City of Seattle as a Neighborhood District Coordinator. As someone who has lived in the same tiny condo on Capitol Hill for 22 years, he has seen Capitol Hill’s change close-up. “There’s just a lot more people here. With the advent of light rail and streetcar, the boom in real estate, the boom in tech jobs here in Seattle, the neighborhood is as popular now as I’ve ever seen it,” he said. “There are more 20 year olds running around the Pike/Pine corridor getting their buzz on over the weekends than I’ve ever seen.”
Durkan says the growth has undoubtedly made Capitol Hill a “little more obnoxious on the weekends,” but admits the chaos makes for better photo opportunities.
Durkan carries his camera with him everywhere. “There are moments that transcend the light and the composition that I just have to capture. I’ve gotten shots that aren’t super sharp or aren’t composed very well but are just moments in time I don’t want to forget.”
In a world where all it takes to be a “photographer” is owning an iPhone, it is difficult to set yourself apart as a photographer. Durkan’s secret might be his closeness to Capitol Hill and Seattle. “It’s important for me to relate and grow with this city. This is my hometown. I don’t want to just take a picture from Alki of a Ferryboat, I want to take a picture of a moment in the city’s history. A moment in its thinking process,” he said.
For his 12th Ave Arts show, Durkan is presenting images about his city — but also his friends and himself.
“I purposefully set out to highlight the life of some of my friends, and I do consider them friends. The people who live under the freeways in the legal and illegal encampments. Some people who are not addicted, but some of them are. I relate to these people. I quit drinking alcohol 22 years ago and I never looked back.” Durkan said he would spend hours walking around Capitol Hill to keep his mind off drinking.
“Through these travels I met a lot of amazing people that called the streets home,” he said.. It was through their wisdom and their lives that I started to understand my own issues as they relate to drinking a lot better. I’m very comfortable with my alcohol free lifestyle. I try to pass this wisdom along to other people on the streets who aren’t there in their decision making or might be close. It’s a two way street, they get a little positive energy from me and I get that perspective from them.”
Durkan’s Pretty and the Gritty show is on display at 12th Ave Arts through August. You can meet the photographer and see his work Thursday during the art walk from 5 to 8 PM at 12th Ave Arts, 1620 12th Ave. Learn more at facebook.com/timdphotos/
Thanks for the fun article. I’ve admired Tim Durkan’s work but knew nothing of the man until now.
Agreed. Seen his work many times but nice to know a little more about the man behind them. Glad to hear he’s a native that seems invested in his city (what does a district coordinator do, exactly?).
What hours is 12th Ave Arts open for this exhibit other than today? I can’t find the information on the website or a phone number to call.
The exhibit is in the hallway on the 2nd floor of their main lobby space\atrium. If the building lobby is open (which it usually is), walk on up.
I have known Tim since the late 90’s. He is a lovely human being, and it is fantastic to see his work get this recognition.