A portfolio of photographs by Tom Kiefer from the Tucson to Phoenix series
of the Journey West Exhibit project

Lost Treasure - Near Oracle, Arizona 2009

Lucky Man - Tucson, Arizona 2007

Hotel Noir, Tucson, Arizona 2009

Westward Ho, young man - Phoenix, Arizona 2008

2:43pm, Phoenix - Phoenix, Arizona 2008

Angels watchin' over me my Lord - Sun City, Arizona 2008

Casa Grande Ruins - Coolidge, Arizona 2007

Is that all there is? - Tucson, Arizona 2008

Retired Railroad Ties - Coolidge, Arizona 2009

Ue o muite aruko - Near Oracle, Arizona 2009

Traveling the Journey West Exhibit via US 89

The "Journey West Exhibit" is a three part photographic essay of the roads that connect the cities of Phoenix, Tucson and Ajo, Arizona, which are approximately 120 miles from each other. My friend Jim Cowlin asked if I would be interested in sharing some of the photos from this project that related to US 89, and to my surprise, all but two of the following images were either taken directly on parts of the old highway or within a mile of it.

Whatever I find compelling as a record of fact or integral to the simultaneous development and decline of the western landscape and history, I'll record through my photography. There are several narratives that seem to be unfolding as I continue to travel around and shoot; loss and abandonment, grace and beauty, thoughtlessness and greed, ingenuity and hope. The actual subjects themselves range from desert plants to advertising signs, animals to old buildings, junkyards and churches to clouds in the sky.

To see additional work from this project, visit: journeywestexhibit.com

Tom Kiefer