Eric Mencher

Documentary photographer Eric Mencher prefers to focus his lens on long term projects. Whether the process is an intentioned study with such expansive scope as life along the Lincoln Highway (the country’s first transcontinental road), or more from the hip shooting of place like included works from the New Jersey Shore, Mencher’s photographs are infused with symbolism and intention.

Mencher grew up in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, “where the sands are white and the water is blue.” When Mencher moved to Philadelphia in the 80's, and went to the New Jersey Shore he found “the sands were brown and the water even browner. But unlike those pristine Florida beaches, the Jersey Shore is raw and full of character and characters.” Mencher spent time wandering casinos, parking lots, streets and boardwalks where he encountered such scenes as this aging car juxtaposed with a youthful Caesar or an unreal and perhaps prescient parade of cars, including a vehicle that enticed people to spend their coin in a since-shuttered casino. Hope dressed as chance waives glittery promise in these scenes. They are as reflective of our time as ever.

Eric Mencher

Parking Lot, Caesar's, 2000
Unreal, 1999

Eric Mencher | Price Structure:
10 x 15 in. Archival Print | Edition of 10 | $600

Eric Mencher was recommended for inclusion in You and Yours by Paul Cava.