The New York Times: "An unorthodox look . . . photographs, commissioned as artworks . . . focus on striking details."
Coming soon – Xiomaro will be the speaker at a reception to kick-off this new photography commission.
America’s Revolutionary War leader, Founding Father, and first president was truly extraordinary. As such, he voluntarily walked away from power. Not just once . . . but twice.
During the Revolution, Colonel Lewis Nicola wrote a letter to the army officers at Newburgh, New York. In it, he criticized the republican form of government. He proposed a constitutional monarchy with Washington as the King of the United States. Washington harshly rejected the proposal circulating in the army as a “calamity” facing the young nation. Washington made good on his objection. When the war ended in 1783, he resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Later, after serving two terms as president, Washington again voluntarily relinquished power – an act that was revolutionary for its time. He set the standard for what it means to be the Chief Executive: being addressed as “Mr. President,” committing to republicanism, and fostering national unity.
What shaped Washington’s character? What role did his upbringing play? He was a man defined by strong moral convictions, integrity, and humility who consciously worked to control his ambitions and temper. His commitment to public service was such that he refused to take a salary and only requested reimbursement of his expenses. These are some of the many intriguing aspects of Washington that will be the focus of a photographic inquiry by Xiomaro at George Washington Birthplace National Monument located by the Potomac River in the Northern Neck of Virginia.
The National Monument, established in 1930-32, is a historical site commemorating the residence where Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He lived there until he was 3½ years old and later returned as a teenager. The 551 acre site offers guided tours, picnicking, hiking, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, and kayaking.
The commission is expected to be a multi-year project with Xiomaro commencing photography during the spring of 2025. The photographs will expand his artistic collections documenting Washington’s military headquarters in New Jersey and Massachusetts as well as the estate of one of his generals. Sample images from those collections can be seen in the gallery below. Subject matter within Xiomaro’s purview includes the site’s architecture, landscape, and museum artifacts that are rarely seen. Additional themes under consideration include the little-known histories of the original native peoples, the European settlers, and the seven generations of Washingtons and slaves that lived on the plantation.
All photographs are available for exhibition and purchase. Contact Xiomaro
Any image or text or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever – including any and all uses in connection with artificial intelligence technology – without my express written permission. Violators will, and have been, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Xiomaro logo by Azul Burger. Photos of Xiomaro by Barbara Cittadino.