Timothy Archibald
Timothy Archibald long believed that photography and the arts are a path based on a lifelong relationship to the medium. As a person who was introduced to photography by a strong mentor in his teens, Timothy have always attempted to create a community of mentorship within his commercial and artistic careers.
A working commercial photographer, Timothy’s commercial work has been celebrated in Communication Arts Photography Annual, American Photography Annual, Popular Photography and Photo District News. His various commercial clients include Facebook, McDonald’s, American Express, Netflix and Botox Therapeutics.
His personal projects have resulted in lectures and exhibitions at spaces as diverse as SFMOMA, Emory University, The Museum of Sex in NYC, and in the permanent collection of Le musée Français de la Photographie, Bievres, France.
He is the Associate Director of the Photography Department at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA.
Artist Statement
This photo series came to life in my head during a chance visit to Claire Lilienthal Elementary in San Francisco.
The school had the wooden desks and dusty blackboards of my own elementary school, attended in the 1970’s. Heavy layers of paint and dated classroom heaters filled the spaces.Working with stylist Shannon Amos and makeup artist Veronica Sjoen, I felt I could stage a series of photographs that brought to mind the mood and charged atmosphere of my youth.
The characters are all inspired by classmates of mine, making the casting choices inspired and all very natural.
This series has stood the test of time - it’s been a natural touchstone in my commercial portfolio and is a turning point in every lecture I give.
Release Date: August 5, 2022
The Student, from the series After School Special, 2012
Release Date: January 13, 2022
The Teacher, from the series After School Special, 2012