By TRAVIS MORSE
MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon fine artist Michael Aldag has two photographs featured in the ongoing Regional Photographers Exhibit, at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg.
The recognition is great, Aldag said, since he did not start out as a photographer and it is only in recent years that he has predominantly used that medium. His two photographs in the exhibit are “Salvage Site” and “Gnarled Roots,” both from 2020. The exhibit is on display from Aug. 13 through Sept. 15.
“It’s just kind of nice, because I feel like I’m being more recognized as a photographer and being a little more taken seriously in that medium,” Aldag said. “And granted, I just consider myself a fine artist, but I just think it’s nice to be taken more seriously in that field. Because that isn’t initially what I went into and I don’t have as much experience as some people.”
Aldag grew up in the Mount Vernon area, and lives there currently. He graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School. He then initially went to Truman State University in Missouri for a year, took a year off and then attended the Columbus College of Art & Design in Ohio, where he graduated and earned his BFA in Fine Art.
“When I was in school, I really mostly did painting and drawing, mixed media,” Aldag said. “And then through the years lately, it’s just become a lot more photography based. But I also do collage, I make cards (with) my own artwork on them. So I don’t limit myself by media.”
Aldag’s inspiration for his art comes from his environment, childhood and Christian faith. He does not limit himself to a particular media, but there are recurring themes in his work.
In the past, he has exhibited his work at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum, and also at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and the Centralia Cultural Society’s photography show. He also recently won first place in photography at the Peoria-based Illinois Art League’s Annual Membership Show.
Some of his other awards include Best of Show in the 2010 Illinois Art League Annual Membership Show at Peoria Heights Village Hall, Best of Show in the 2019 Shrode Fine Art & Craft Competition Exhibition at Cedarhurst and the 2023 Esteemed Listee in Marquis Who’s Who in America.
Aldag started focusing on photography as a medium in recent years, after he began a series called “Temple” where he takes pictures of church buildings that are no longer being used as churches. He initially envisioned it as being a series of paintings, but after painting a church in Columbus, Ohio, he realized that he would not have time the to do all of the paintings. Aldag said that he also liked the idea of documenting the churches with photographs, because there is not really any manipulation of the image.
“I’m not really manipulating it too much, it just kind of is what it is,” Aldag said. “So I felt like because of time constraints and the nature of the medium, I just kind of liked it because it’s almost just documenting what people pass by every day, but maybe they don’t really think about or notice.”
Aldag sometimes uses his cell phone to take photos but also has a Nikon D-3500 that his family got him for Christmas a few years back. This type of camera was recommended to him by a professional photographer, and it also was not too expensive for his family to purchase.
Aldag said that being an artist has always been a passion of his, and that he greatly appreciates the encouragement and support that he has received over the years from his parents and sister.
“It’s just always been a gift, it’s always been something I’ve done,” Aldag said of fine art. “And I’m thankful for the encouragement that I’ve gotten through the years with it. So, yeah, it’s just always kind of been my thing. I mean, even in high school, I was voted ‘most artistic,’ so it was just kind of always a thing. … My dad has definitely been an encourager. My mom was, she’s passed away. And my sister has been helpful as well.”
