Woodbury University's Julius Shulman Institute (JSI) has acted as an important bridge that connects the general public with the disciplines of architecture and photography. For this year's 2022 edition, the JSI presents James Florio with the prestigious Julius Shulman Institute Excellence in Photography Award.

Florio's photographic works capture the intimate details of the built environment in nature and within cityscapes. Many of his past works and projects document how time, nature, and climate impact architecture and landscapes. While the photographs shown here primarily highlight his latest work with Ensamble Studio, other projects such as the Cervantes Theatre, Exeter Library, and Gio Ponti Denver Art Museum exhibit Florio's eye for investigating structure, materials, texture, and shadow from a macro to micro-scale.

Collaborating with the architects, Florio reveals the slow and experimental process in the making of unique architecture and landscape disruption. — Barbara Bestor, Julius Shulman Institute Executive Director

As the current artist-in-residence at the Tippet Rise Art Center in Montana, Florio has worked with Ensamble Studio to capture their entrancing site-specific projects that blend architecture, fabrication methods, landscapes, and typology research. The JSI's Executive Director, Barbara Bestor shares: "James Florio has used photography to take us on an adventure of discovery [...] Collaborating with the architects, Florio reveals the slow and experimental process in the making of unique architecture and landscape disruption."

Along with his residency, Florio has teamed with Iker Gil (architect and director of MAS Studio) and editor in chief of the quarterly design journal MAS Context to produce a book reflecting on the studio and their work over the past twenty years titled, Radical Logic: On the Work of Ensamble Studio. Gil explains: "Working alongside him on the book Radical Logic, allowed me to witness firsthand the commitment and thoughtfulness behind each of his photographs. He approaches his subjects patiently, documenting them across multiple weather conditions and seasons to fully convey the rich relationship between time, landscape, and the built environment."

Florio's latest work, titled "On Light, Time, and Materiality," will be exhibited at Los Angeles-based gallery the BAG. His work will also be accompanied by the works of 2021 Julius Shulman Excellence in Photography award recipient Lee Bey and 2020 recipient Victoria Sambunari. The opening reception and celebration of these three awardees will take place on April 22 from 6-8 pm PST. "On Light, Time, and Materiality" will be on display at the BAG from April 22 to June 3, 2022.

The Montana-based photographer joins the JSI's list of distinguished winners, including Lee Bey (2021), Victoria Sambunar (2020), Livia Corona Benjamin (2019), Benny Chan (2018), Todd Eberle (2017), James Welling (2016), Hélène Binet (2015), Grant Mudford (2014) Catherine Opie (2013), Pedro E. Guererro (2012), Richard Barnes(2011), and Iwan Baan(2010).