AT A GLANCE

Artists: Stéphane Alexis, Siobhan Arnott, Andrew Beck, Xiatong Cai, Mary Ann Camps, Rebecca Clouâtre, Joyce Crago, Evergon, Chris Glabb, Nancy Halpin, Lea Hamilton, Whitney Lewis-Smith, Lauren Mercer-Smail, Patti Normand, Cheryl Pagurek, Paul Sharp and Jeff Thomas 

Inciting us to rethink the medium, the artists in this exhibition are bound by their use of photography as a tool in their creative process. Some focus on the subject, framing or composition to shape a narrative, while others use personal or found images as the underpinning of their pieces. For some, photography is used as a reference, and they divert entirely from the medium to create unique works.   

For certain photographers, a meticulous selection and display of the subject forms an integral aspect of their storytelling. Evergon’s It Was a Happy Lil’ Ship is one of the artist’s many collaborations with photographer Jean-Jacques Ringuette. In the series Off Shoot Phenom Phenomena, the duo collected objects from Evergon’s home and methodically arranged them, essentially turning these still lives into self-portraits. Similarly, Whitney Lewis-Smith stages elaborate compositions in her artworks, drawing from her time spent in scientific fieldwork. In Lavanda, Lewis-Smith’s attention to detail lures us in, and we can sense the vibrancy of the subject, eager to be captured by the camera lens. 

Photography can also act as a foundation for the artist to build upon. As such, the process plays a key role in shaping the narrative of the image. Cheryl Pagurek’s Untitled Moments series began with her personal archive of cell phone photos. Expanding on this interaction between the artist and her surroundings, the images are cut and manipulated, to form vibrant and narratively complex collages. Comparably, Chris Glabb’s process begins with the use and appropriation of existing imagery as seen in the Roadkill Series. Stemming from Queer and Indigenous perspectives, Glabb’s work critiques hierarchy by forcing these found images to stand against abstraction.   

Photographic elements, as reference images, can be found embedded in a wide range of mediums, allowing the artist to experiment with how to convey a point of view, details or movement. In Siobhan Arnott’s linocut relief prints, this approach helps capture a certain space, lighting and perspective which allows the artist to selectively include or omit details in a scene.  

At a Glance showcases the diverse array of mediums and techniques used by each artist in their creative process, prompting us to reflect on the significance of photography in these works as well as its impact on all other media. As we dive into each piece, we are invited to search for our own reflection within it. 

Curated by: Élie Crighton 
Editing & Curatorial Assistance: Kelly Dixon 
Administrative assistance: Olive Soki-Kavwahirehi
Translation: Véronique Couillard 
Installation: Rob Keefe, Dan Austin & Robert Chester