The New Jersey Emerging Artists Series continues in the Monmouth Museum's Nilson Gallery with an exhibition of photographs by artist John Monahan. The exhibit runs through May 31.

"Recovery Room" In a gallery talk 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, Monahan will share insights on his work in a discussion at the museum, which is located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required as seating is limited. Call the museum at 732-747- 2266 to register and for additional information.

Monahan's images challenge the viewer.

"My work attempts to break down barriers and allow/require people to see what they normally would not or refuse to see," states the artist, a former Red Bank area attorney.

In this series of photographs taken in the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, the viewer enters a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers.

Built in 1829 and once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, the Eastern State Penitentiary was abandoned in 1971 and stands today in ruin. Trees now grow through fortress walls and stark towers.

No Way Out" Monahan describes his technique: "The photographs in this series were taken using a 4 x 5 field camera in order to capture the detail and texture of the penitentiary remains. I used black and white film to emphasize the starkness, and developed the prints using a gelatin silver process to achieve a depth in tonal value."

Monahan has been involved in photography since the early 1990s. A former resident of Monmouth County, Monahan practiced law in Red Bank and was the municipal court judge in Shrewsbury. He is an adjunct senior assistant professor of photography at Mercer County Community College.

His work has appeared in exhibits at The College of New Jersey, Phillips Mills, The American Society of Media Photographers.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7, free for members, Brookdale students and staff with a valid I.D., and children under 2.

For more information, call the museum at 732-747-2266 or visit the website at www.monmouthmuseum.org.