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  Photographer Biography - Derek Mathews

Growing up in Chicago Illinois, Derek Mathews became interested in photography at an early age, of about seven. His first cameras were the fixed lenses of Kodak Box and Brownie cameras. It was at that time he discovered the ability to document and capture moments on film. At the high school level Derek was recruited to the school yearbook staff, where his photography was first published.

Throughout his days in college, in North Carolina, New Mexico, Illinois, and beyond Derek Mathews photo skills were enhanced. He increased his mastery of documentary photography, as he produced and completed many photo projects. His work was sought out by many educational and bureaucratic federal, state and local agencies to document and develop visual reports and materials. One of his most favorite projects was his Graduate student documentary/slideshow at Governor’s State University, where he documented the experience of the film crew, which he was apart of, that traveled to Guatemala in 1976. The overall purpose of the trip was to document on film the lives of the people following one of the most devastating earthquakes in modern history.  Soon after that he was commissioned by the All Indian Pueblo Council, in Albuquerque New Mexico, to travel into Southern Mexico to document an intertribal exchange between the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and the Aztec tribes of Mexico.

Since that time Derek has enjoyed capturing many images with his cameras. His interest varies from landscapes, flowers and people. The culture of the Native American people in New Mexico where he lives with his family, have been focused in his lenses for many years and enjoyed by the Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache people. Since founding the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in 1984, he has photographed thousands of Native American Pow Wow dancers and singers. Today’s digital photo technology has given him new challenges and opportunities.

The Star Horse Gallery was created so that the photography of Derek Mathews could be enjoyed by the largest audience possible.