A Preservation of Character

Northwest

When

Aug. 6–Sept. 27, 2025

Days vary, Times vary

Free

Where

1704 Northwest Johnson Street

1704 NW Johnson St
Portland, OR 97209
[things/found] Atelier is on the ground floor and is fully accessible through the garage door.

The following description was submitted by the event organizer.

A Preservation of Character is an exhibition of black/white analogue photography by Megan Sinclair and will be the grand opening exhibition at NW Portland’s newest gallery space, [things/found] Atelier. The public is invited to attend the opening reception and meet the artist on First Thursday, August 7, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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“I long to see the world as I once did. I long to feel the world as I once did. In A Preservation of Character, I use the act of removal to incite vulnerability. I remove my clothing, a physical layer of protection. I remove the hair from my head, a totem of gender. I attempt to let go of protective behavior, expression, and thought. What I feel shields me from danger in the outside world has become a part of who I present myself as. Here, I am neighbored only by textures, shapes, and light, leaving me to observe and interact with myself. Who am I without these defenses? This is an exercise in honesty and a longing for innocence. These are intimate moments of self-reflection, and are presented to the viewer out of a need to share unguarded experience.”

Megan Sinclair is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in analogue self-portrait photography that delves into the interconnectedness of body, mind, and environment. Through her work, she uses vulnerability and image-making as tools for processing and navigating personal trauma. Megan constructs in-home sets, curating intimate spaces where distractions are minimized and self-expression feels safe.

A 2020 graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor’s degree in Photography, Megan’s projects have since been showcased internationally. Her work communicates emotional narratives and invites viewers into a dialogue about resilience. She currently resides in Oregon, where she continues to create work that encourages a more open conversation of the human experience.