Dallas photographer Jean Karotkin started taking photos when she found out she had cancer. Soon after hearing her diagnosis, Karotkin set about photographing survivors across the country, winning national acclaim along the way. That was three years ago, and Karotkin has since become a survivor herself and moved on to different subject matter. She still focuses on women, but in her latest exhibit, ย“Mirrors,ย” itย’s women and drag queens. By juxtaposing them in the process of dressing, Karotkin explores identity and gender. ย“On a literal level, mirrors reflect the subjectย’s images as they prepare themselves for everyday life and/or public performances,ย” she says. ย“On a symbolic level, mirrors reveal innermost feelings and thoughts.ย”

Also showing during this FotoFest-related exhibit are Divya Murthy, Deborah Bay and Christopher Olivier, whose ย“Cyberspacesย” photographs are composed of parts of junk computers sculpted into urban scapes. See it all from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Galveston Arts Center, 2127 The Strand in Galveston. For information, call 409-763-2403 or visit www.galvestonartscenter.org. Free.

March 1-April 6, 2008

This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 5, 2008.