In June, the Charlotte Observer invited its readers to send photos of themselves with Niki de Saint Phalle’s Firebird (Le grand oiseau de feu sur l’arche), now on permanent public display in front of the new Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The winners of this competition are graphic designer Rachel Hewitt and her husband, Eric Whiteside, a high school English teacher. “That’s me in the mirror,” says Rachel.
Speaking of her husband (the guy holding the mirror), Rachel adds, “Living with someone who encourages his students (and wife) to think creatively is continuously inspiring. Eric celebrates the unique — and one could say, I am merely a reflection of that. And it made me laugh to shoot the photograph.”
Congratulations to Rachel and Eric, the other finalists, and everyone else who entered. To see other entries, visit the Charlotte Observer web site.