Artist Jonathan Silbert Explores Shadows and Identity

Photographer's abstract images challenge perceptions of body and soul

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Artist and graphic designer Jonathan Silbert has created a series of abstract photographs that explore the mysterious and unsettling nature of shadows. Silbert's work, part of a class on the spiritual in photography at the International Center of Photography, moves beyond the literal to open up a more poetic reflection on identity and the ineffable.

Why it matters

Silbert's shadow abstractions tap into universal human experiences of the unknown and the unseen, inviting viewers to confront their own fears and perceptions about the self. His work highlights how photography can be a powerful medium for spiritual and introspective exploration.

The details

Silbert's photographs, titled "Somewhere You Can Never Go," present shadowy, ambiguous forms that both surprise and unsettle the viewer. By focusing on the interplay of light and dark, Silbert challenges conventional notions of the body and soul, drawing inspiration from thinkers like Nietzsche who have grappled with the abyss. Rather than trying to dominate or fight these mysterious elements, Silbert embraces them, finding that turning towards the fearful unknown can be a rewarding path to self-understanding.

  • Silbert created this series of photographs as part of a class on "Concerning the Spiritual in Photography" at the International Center of Photography in New York City.

The players

Jonathan Silbert

An artist and graphic designer who has pursued image-making in a variety of mediums, including clay, metal and paper, with photography always being present. His abstract photographs explore themes of identity and the ineffable.

Bryan Whitney

An artist, photographer, and educator who teaches the "Concerning the Spiritual in Photography" course at the International Center of Photography in New York City. He has introduced Silbert's work as part of a series featuring his past students.

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What they’re saying

“Shadows do not exist without context. A light source is needed, as is an object which blocks that light, whether the object is seen or not and then, a receptive plane. But when the shadow becomes the both object and the subject, what are the implications for identity?”

— Jonathan Silbert, Artist (lenscratch.com)

“If someone comes to these images with an openness to inner reflection, there is a chance they may find a useful mirror and a tool to explore their state of being.”

— Jonathan Silbert, Artist (lenscratch.com)

What’s next

Silbert is currently working on a sculptural series of low relief paper pieces describing the life cycle of a society and incidental achievements of culture.

The takeaway

Silbert's abstract shadow photographs demonstrate how photography can be a powerful medium for spiritual and introspective exploration, inviting viewers to confront their own perceptions of identity and the unknown.