He Sees the World with Wonder, Intention, and Heart
“I didn’t find photography, photography found me,” said Troy Perry, an employee in Queensborough’s Buildings & Grounds for 30 years.
His works were celebrated at the opening of his show, "Into the Light," at the QCC Art Gallery on March 13. His photography was displayed along with the exhibits, "Island Sunflower Reflections," which will run through March 28, and "Del Precolumbino al Dimensionalismo" which will run along with "Into the Light" until May 28.
“I want to extend a very special thanks to Faustino [Quintanilla, Executive Director of the QCC Art Gallery] for his belief in my skills as a photographer and for including me in this opening along with the other beautiful exhibits.”
Looking back, Troy said it was graffiti that first caught his eye. “Such powerful style created with just a spray can! I tried to duplicate what I saw with pen and ink drawings but of course it wasn’t the same as the real thing. Then a junior high school field trip to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn opened my world to fantastic flowers and trees and butterflies of every color. Around that time cell phones came onto the scene and my imagination took off.”
“My phone is the only equipment I’ve ever used.”
In the years to come, Troy traveled throughout the Caribbean and Pacific coast. His color photographs include the Alta Vista Chapel and stone sculptures in Aruba, the Isabel Torre Mount in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and a pristine beach in La Romana, Dominican Republic. “I’m fascinated by the opposing elements of trees and water—the gentle swaying of palm leaves versus earth’s strongest force on earth.”
In 2023 Troy flew to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. There he captured a dizzying perspective of the Burj Khalifa, crowned the tallest building in the world. He took a series of the many majestic dancing waters downtown and long shot of the city taken from a bird’s eye view. “There is art and entertainment in everything.”
But no matter the distance Troy has covered, his home base is in Brooklyn...and at Queensborough. Troy beamed, “It is really wonderful that my show runs right up to the day of my retirement from the College.”
His buddy and co-worker, Gregory Smith came to the opening with his wife. “I’ve known Troy a long time and had no idea he was such a talented photographer until he showed me his pictures one day. I’m so glad he’s getting this recognition.”
Troy looked around at everyone and said, “I have learned so much from the great people I have met and worked with over the decades. Great people, great minds, a wonderful life experience I will never forget.”
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