Miami in the recent decade has been calling in the art world by the herds during ArtBasel. But throughout the year a few artists have flown into a palmtree filled sector across the bay to the Fountainhead residency. Founded by art lovers, collectors and supporters Dan and Kathryn Mikesell strive to keep the ART ignited in the city. They have formed a nonprofit organization that provides a haven for three artists, providing quarters that allow artists to disconnect and create. They all spend a month with different inspirations of what this city has to give. 
Before the heat got intolerable we met a photographer, a quilter and a painter which were the last chosen for spring's creators. During a Miami spring sun shines, most of the time rain creeps up but the sun always keeps peaking out behind the cast of greyness.

Wyatt Gallery is a photographer with the perfect name to exhibit and cause confusion. He has proclaimed 'the person not the place' along with his name. 

How did you make it to the residency?
Two years ago I was introduced to Kathryn and Dan Mikesell through a friend at their famous Pizza and Beer party they have during Basel a couple of years ago. We became very acquainted and kept in touch. Dan asked if I could come down last minute if anyone cancels. Fast forward: Dan posted a picture with a friend and I left a comment. Soon after he sent me an email and asked, if I could make it into the residence. Fortunately for me, someone cancelled two months in a row.. it's been a real blessing.

What's going on lately?
I'm a photographer. This new work that I have been doing is called 'Subtext'. These are photographs of advertising spaces from the NYC subway of ads that have been temporarily removed. Creating an abstract expression painting which is really only the wear and tear of posters being put up throughout decades by unidentified employees. It's exciting that I play no part in the creation of what the pieces looks like. What I do is I remove the white subway tiles and then print them in a new technique that makes them look more like an actual wall then a photograph. 

Are you venturing out from behind the lens?
I have been branching out and creating daily self reminders. 'You are beautiful' for instance is a pixelated tile. Find the power within. 'Listen' to your heart and instincts get back in touch with yourself daily. The abundance of life that comes from nature. People constantly look for the shiny objects that we think are going to bring us happiness and fullfilment. Instead it's returning to the core centre of our original self and find the abundance that we are looking for. 

After painting these boards glossy black and it creates a reflection. The camera sees it as a mirror while our eyes see it as a black area. The photographs look like they have been taken through water or through a piece of glass. They look like portals to a mysterious, dream-like water world. I did six or seven different boards all with a diverse technique experimenting, spray paint or hand painting to get a different texture. First I have done it with trees in the neighbourhood.  

I'm going to venture and do the same thing with these walls. I have seen how it changes. These are photographs of walls in Ironside which is currently undergoing gentrification. They are trying to restore it to it’s historic grandure. And one of the methods that they are using is by enforcing the law that if someone graffitis your wall you have 24 hrs. to paint over it or you get fined. So it's an effective tool to help outsiders feel safe and it's a prettier looking neighbourhood. And these are the patches which seem to never match. You can see the garage doors that get an interesting. It's not art and again I didn't had to add these layers of history. 

What's next?
Publishing a book titled 'Jewish Treasures Of The Carribean' with photographs of the oldest Jewish synagogues and cemeteries in the Western Hemisphere, located in the Caribbean. 

photos & words by Marchi Marchell