Questions by Shallom Johnson, Art Editor
This collection of photographs seems to take me on a journey; it feels like a series of postcards from a long and winding road. Is there a common thread that runs through these images, for you?
Funny you say that. During the pandemic summers, I drove across country. Most of these photos were shot on the road. Avante Garden in Kansas, outside Lawrence. Electric Nebraska taken from the train. The Merman in upstate New York. Easy Landing in NYC at Night of a Thousand Stevies, a night devoted to Stevie Nicks. The thread is my impulse to travel and find strange beauty.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I’m mainly a poet. Many of my poems are portraits. Like photographs. My influences include writers like Elizabeth Bishop, Gertrude Stein and Dorianne Laux. Alice in Wonderland too. And musicians like Stevie Nicks and Natalie Merchant. I am drawn to artists who use whimsy and peculiarity: Botticelli, Dali, Gaudi … And comedians: Jessica Kirson, Amy Sedaris, Yamaneika Saunders.
Which subject matter are you most drawn to capturing, and why?
Queerness. Whatever that means. As a queer person, I love finding beauty and humanity in what’s considered strange.
I agree with photographer Duane Michals who said, “I wish we realized that we are queer creatures. It’s a queer life. The universe is queer. It’s bizarre and queer.”
What kind of camera do you shoot with?
I use my iPhone. I used to shoot black and white on a 35mm. But my phone is more convenient. And it lets me be spontaneous and adventurous.
You are well-known for your work as a writer, editor, and educator. How do these photos relate to your writing practice?
I wouldn’t say well-known but thanks. When I write and take photos, I channel my father, who was a mechanic and carpenter. I spent many afternoons working with him in the workshop. Helping him build, sand, and stain. He taught me to roll up my sleeves and get into it. To make something strong. Anything less is wasting your time, he’d say. I want to have my feet on the ground when I make art. I want to be authentic, earthy and welcoming, rather than formal and fussy.
Any plans to combine these two mediums in the future?
I have a photograph I’m saving for the cover of a book of poems I am completing. If the publisher goes for it. I’ve met artists at artist colonies, who have proposed collaborations, their imagery, my words. I’m open to that. Some have given me artwork for my book covers. Once I named paintings in a series by Deb Mell. That was really fun.
How would you describe your overall aesthetic as a photographer?
Earthy Etherealism.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2023?
Travel. Seeing my friends across the US. Completing my next book of poems. And editing a young adult novel I’ve been working on. I’ve discovered camping at gay campgrounds. Can’t wait to do that more.
Anything we haven’t asked about that you’d like to mention?
Thanks for including me.
Michael Montlack is author of two poetry collections, most recently Daddy (NYQ Books), and editor of the Lambda Finalist essay anthology My Diva (University of Wisconsin Press). His photos have been featured in Salt Hill, phoebe, Northwest Review, the “Just Say Gay” issue of SoFloPoJo and (on the cover of) Gertrude. His poems recently appeared in Prairie Schooner, North American Review, december, The Offing, Cincinnati Review, and Poet Lore. He lives in NYC.
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