Robert Batey, a native of Nashville, discovered photography while studying architecture at the University of Tennessee. Following graduation Robert traveled through Europe, stopping in London to work as an architect. Returning home, Robert moved to Philadelphia, Pa., to continue architecture and earn his professional license.

The lure of photography convinced him to put aside his first career and pursue his growing passion. Robert currently lives in Sevierville, Tenn., with his family, where he works as a commercial photographer and artist.

Shown Right: River of Light, photograph with assemblage frame, 32" x 65"

Artist's Statement
“My wife Dana Cohen and I collaborate on building our rustic frames. Our ‘rustic elegant’ designs are inspired by the great camps of the Adirondack Mountains, first popularized during the late 1800s. Being a photographer and architect, it seemed only natural to combine my original nature photographs with our rustic designs for a unique blending of rustic and fine art.”

“All of our branches are taken from fallen trees or thinned saplings from trail maintenance. We even use hemlock, cut from standing dead trees killed by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. It gives the trees a new life.”

Arts at the Airport receives funding for the visual arts from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). The Flying Solo Exhibition Series is funded under an agreement with the TAC. For more information about Arts at the Airport, please call (615) 275-1614.