Hats off to Gallery 44 and its dedicated staff of 30 years!
For anyone who is unaware of Gallery 44, it is a non-profit artist-run centre committed to the advancement of photographic art. The gallery was founded in 1979. The goal was to establish a creative, supportive environment in which photography could flourish. The centre now consists of an art gallery, resource centre, darkroom and production facilities. It also offers education programs, weekend workshops, gallery tours, artists talks, and residencies. The centre serves a rapidly growing membership of artists and photo enthusiasts.
Having seen many of the exhibitions since moving here two and a half years ago, it truly is a remarkable gallery that hosts a lot of excellent exhibitions and the latest in photo-based art. As a feature exhibition during the CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival, Gallery 44's Looking Forward, Looking Back includes artists Sally Ayre, Marco Buonocore, Dianne Davis, April Hickox, Alex KisIevich, Heidi Leverty, Rob Norton, Chris Shepherd, and Paul Till.
"Works in the exhibition use contemporary techniques, such as the scanning of objects in lieu of a traditional camera, as in the work of April Hickox. Contemporary themes prevail in the dark tableaux of Dianne Davis and the constructed scenes of Alex Kisilevich. Chris Shepherd photographs vacant storefronts in the process of change; Paul Till uses a vintage Diana camera to nostalgic effect. Documentary practices are celebrated in Marco Buonocore’s gelatin silver prints and in Heidi Leverty’s magni- fied study of discarded paper. Charlene Heath questions the documentary genre in her photographs of webcam images. From ambrotypes and tintypes by Rob Norton, to cyanotypes printed on silk organza by Sally Ayre, traditional photographic methods are juxtaposed with contemporary chromogenic prints. This exhibition represents a range of Gallery 44 members’ works, and was juried by Sophie Hackett, Catherine Dean and Peter Higdon."
Although you can find this text on Gallery 44's website I want to emphasize the need for donations. This is a gallery worth contributing to its growth and heritage as an artist-run centre.
"To celebrate our 30th Anniversary and to contribute to the dialogue on contemporary photography, we are publishing a book of thirty images and five essays about new directions in photographic art by emerging artists. During a time of growing opportunity for emerging artists, Gallery 44’s publication will bring together artists from different generations who represent changes in photographic practices. The book will convey and contextualize the broad spectrum of work by emerging artists, past and present.
We have received funding for this publication from the Canada Council and private donors, but still need to raise $14,000 to create the book envisioned. We are turning to our members and friends to help reach this goal. For a donation of $30 or more you can “buy” a page in our new publication. In return, you will be acknowledged within its pages as someone who celebrates photography and Gallery 44’s thirty incredible years. The cover page will be “sold” for a special donation of $500. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation.
Donations can be made by visa or by mailing a cheque to Gallery 44. Donations can also be through Canada Helps (See G44s website). Every $30 brings us one page closer to achieving our goal!"
On behalf of my own interest in buying this publication please make a donation and then buy the book! I am!
Image: April Hickox, Objects of Virtue, 2007
