In Murder in Nampa, Lawrence Manning transforms an unexpected influx of crows in his Idaho hometown into a profound examination of resilience and self-reflection.

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Coming at a time of personal turmoil and global unrest, these birds serve as both subjects and catalysts in his developing work. Manning depicts them as otherworldly entities set against atmospheric, stage-like backgrounds, leveraging their intelligence and strong communal bonds to explore themes of mortality, doubt, dignity, and social duty. Through complex photographic constructions, he captures their energy in images that feel both metaphysical and deeply intimate. The crows have become a symbol of his enduring identity, shaping a visual language through which he explores vulnerability and affirms his artistic voice.

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Lawrence Manning: I never could have imagined that when a murder of crows “invaded” my hometown of Nampa in 2020, and that their presence would influence my lingering connection to my creative voice and consciousness. They eventually became the focus and the seeds for nurturing my art. These birds arrived during a dark, desperate time for me. Also, the world seemed to be in crisis with financial, social, and political storms. The crows came and fortunately remained, and the images I made of them, and continue to make of them, continue to reveal my themes, whether of confusion, death, frustration, communication, dignity and depression. Inadvertently, they provided me with important survival tools, not only opening new, challenging doors of perception but also prompting introspective examinations that exposed the wounds of my uncomfortable self-doubt. But ultimately, they encourage me to express myself. I learned new ways to reveal, like a stage set, my themes through atmospheric, ethereal backgrounds. My computer and photographic abilities were challenged. I learned how to represent them as metaphysical and as magical as possible.

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These corvids served as the symbols and metaphors I needed. Even now, I hide behind them to represent and express my relationship with the world around me, attempting to shed the guilt from some very sad experiences. Their constant cawing helped me cope; their industriousness inspired me to work. Their care and protection for one another remind me of my social responsibilities. I feel like I am a crow.

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Their constant cawing helped me cope; their industriousness inspired me to work.

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About

Lawrence worked as a commercial photographer for almost 40 years. He is self-trained. He first started taking pictures while a Peace Corps volunteer and discovered how much he enjoyed photographing people. He has experience in all aspects of the photo industry. He has been widely published both under his name as well as the company he founded, Hill Street Studios. After the disaster of 9/11, the post office selected his image of an American flag from thousands of submissions for the “United We Stand” postage stamp. He has been dedicated to an art career since 2020.

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www.lawrencemanning.com