Joyful Sharing: Portraits Celebrate the People & Objects of TIOLI

For more than 20 years, Michael Sobel has been visiting Lopez Island, developing close connections to people and place. Though he lives in Seattle, he’s a member of the Lopez Island Artists Guild, and many Lopezians recognize him as a familiar friend.

Drawn by “the adventure of discovery,” Michael spends time at Take It Or Leave It, curious about the stories within shared objects and the act of sharing.

“One fall, four or five years ago, I was wandering about TIOLI and noticed how beautiful was the southern light shining into the grand shed,” Michael says. “It came to me then — what a great place to make portraits!”

A self-taught photographer with 50 years of experience, Michael makes portraits using an old-fashioned 4x5” view camera on black and white film. He also takes color photos of found objects, using a digital camera. All prints are created with archival pigment inks on acid-free cotton rag paper.

Michael’s work has been shown in regional galleries, and recently won second place in a national competition at the Photographic Center NW in Seattle. This March, Michael will be showing TIOLI portraits at the Lopez Island Library, as part of their showcase, “A Year of Resilience." See them on display from March 6 to March 31.

Naturally, taking portraits has only deepened Michael’s connection to the Lopez community.

“Listening to people’s stories, I began to appreciate the deeper significance of this community effort and the work that goes on behind the scenes,” he says. “The commitment to a circular economy for material things. The joy of leaving, and the joy of taking. More than once, I’ve heard stories about the possessions of an islander who has passed away, how their objects, returned back to the common pool, bring back memories of those departed.”

TIOLI staff, volunteers, and shoppers can recall countless similar stories — someone finding exactly what they needed for free, or someone leaving an object with the hope of it finding new meaning.

“I’m fascinated by the ‘meaning’ of items,” says Michael. “I don’t have much room for more stuff at home, so instead I make portraits of the objects. It satisfies my own acquisitive nature, while letting the items speak for themselves. I’ve favored objects that speak about the islanders: tools, books, boots, cameras, archaic technology.”

Beyond reducing landfill waste, TIOLI and its stewards have created a hub for free exchange in a community that embraces reuse as a way of life. For island residents, a strong circular economy is also a means for resilience, connecting people with each other and with the items they need to furnish a home, fix a leak, or get in character for an upcoming theater role. (“Buy Nothing” groups and Lopez Rocks are also excellent ways to find what you need for free, or share an item that's no longer in use.)

Many staff and volunteers, some of whom have helped sustain TIOLI for over a decade, are featured in Michael’s show.

In his artist bio, Michael expresses gratitude for everyone who’s stood for portraits over the years: “I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement from staff and volunteers, and for the warm welcome from all Lopezians.”

Michael’s show at the library opens on Saturday, March 7, with an artist talk at 5 p.m. We hope to see you there!