Then There Were None

Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber speak to Nilofer Khan about their eerie photographs that portray the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict between man and nature.

- Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber

Growing up in rural western Kansas, Lori Nix witnessed a series of accidents, both natural and man-made. This never deterred her from living her life.

“Rather, these events brought excitement to a life that by most people’s standards was quite dull,” she says. About eight years ago, when she began creating fictional landscapes with Kathleen Gerber, Lori turned to these incidents for inspiration. The images have a looming sense of dread, reminding us of our civilisation’s imminent end.

An Effective Collaboration

Before they begin any scenario, the duo brainstorms multiple ideas instead of just one. “If we can’t envision an idea this far out, then we’re not going to pursue it. We consider how each image is different from the preceding ones in terms of its colour palette, the scene being depicted, and even the placement of the line of view,” Lori says.

Having worked together for over two decades, they have devised a method based on their strengths. For instance, Lori is the architect, while Kathleen is the sculptor. “Lori is responsible for hard surfaces, while I take care of the detailed items. If it takes patience, I’m going to do it. If it involves a ruler and a table saw, then it falls to Lori,” says Kathleen.