One of my objectives for 2017 was to have a gallery showing of my work. It would be my first. I accomplished this goal in May with a showing at the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, with a work entitled Oh Canada, commemorating Canada’s 150th Birthday.
The conceptual framework for the series is the song “Oh Canada.” Each image corresponds to a passage from the national anthem, or in certain cases, a widely-accepted concept of Canada.
Layering is used as an analogy to the composition of this country: its people, culture and concept. A more nuanced observation might note that most of the component photography is ordinary, reflecting the thought that while the constituents of Canada may be ordinary, something better happens when put together.
The photography is purposely aesthetic and positive because this is a celebration, and while nothing is perfect, and there are always things that one might criticize, one also needs to celebrate and engage the positive. The four images in the series are:
- Our Home;
- True North;
- From Far and Wide;
- (From Sea) to Sea
Our Home
True North Strong and Free
From Far and Wide
(From sea) to Sea (west)
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