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February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Canadian photographer Bruce LaBruce ignites fury in Spain with “Obscenity”

Bruce LaBruce Obscenity
Controversial Canadian photographer Bruce LaBruce’s latest exhibition in Spain has sparked outrage among Catholics and conservatives in Madrid, who have denounced it as blasphemous. The exhibition is called “Obscenity” and features photos of kinky nuns in lingerie and tattooed Christs.

After the opening of LaBruce’s show this week, Catholic Group AES called for a demonstration “against blasphemy” outside the gallery on Friday, “in defence of our Christian roots and the Catholic faith”.

The 50 images in the exhibition include an image the popular Spanish/Mexican singer Alaska as a sexy saint with a communion wafer on her tongue, while in another she hugs a tattooed Christ to her breast in a kinky tribute to Michelangelo’s “Pieta” sculpture.

More images after the jump: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Exhibitions
January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

February fundraisers for two members of the Canadian photo industry

Heather Morton FundraiserFundraisers are being held this February to assist two members of the Canadian photo industry who have been fighting some life-altering illnesses. Toronto’s Heather Morton is a well-known art buyer and lecturer who runs a blog called Heather Morton Art Buyer that offers lots of great advice and information for working photographers. Last November Heather was diagnosed with a tumour in between her rib cage and shoulder blade. It’s a rare condition called Fibromatosis, a non-malignant sarcoma which grows aggressively and is hard to resolve. The standard course of treatment is 2 years of chemotherapy.

Heather’s friends and colleagues have rallied together to produce a fundraising event that will take place on February 5th at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Naomi Harris, Daniel Ehrenworth and Brett Gundlock will be speaking about their latest projects, and 40 photographers have donated work to a silent print auction. All money raised from the sale of their prints will go directly to Heather. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased by visiting her blog and clicking on the “Purchase Tickets” link in the right hand column.

Sean Connor

Sean Connor, staff photographer at the Kelowna Capital News.

A similar event is also being held in Kelowna, BC on Thursday, February 2nd to support Sean Connor, a staff photographer for the Kelowna Capital News. Last summer Sean was diagnosed with a chordoma tumour, a relentless bone cancer that occurs in the head and spine. In Sean’s case it formed from bone in the brainstem and he needed treatment unavailable in Canada. It’s called Proton Radiation and required Sean to travel to the Loma Linda Medical Center in California for two months of treatment. While the treatments were covered by B.C. Medical, the whole ordeal has still cost Sean and his wife a significant amount of money and they had to remortgage their home. In addition, his wife lost the job she was planning to return to due the economic downturn.

As such, a group of friends have organized a major benefit concert on his behalf. The Sean Connor Fundraiser is Thursday, Feb. 2, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre by donation. Performances from Sherman Doucette and Deb Stone are already on the bill. The group is still looking for more silent auction item donations, any and all values, for which donors will gratefully be given credit that evening. For more information on the event, or to donate to Sean’s cause, please contact Heather McCullough at 250-808-0131 or Kim Calloway at 250-763-6397.

To read more about Sean’s story and his treatments in California, please see the complete article at the Kelowna Capital News website.

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Photo News
January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

New Larry Towell exhibition opening in London

Larry Towell’s latest exhibitions are “Close to Home.”

That’s the name of a show running through Feb. 4 at London’s Michael Gibson Gallery, just down the road from the Dawn-Euphemia Township farm where the celebrated photographer lives.

It features photographs from two Towell series and publications — The World From My Front Porch and the Mennonites.

The lifelong resident of Lambton County began travelling as a freelance photographer and writer in the 1970s and became the first Canadian accepted into the prestigious Magnum Photo Agency.

He just recently received a career achievement prize from the Ontario Arts Foundation.

Towell is scheduled to sign copies of his 2008 book, The World from My Front Porch, at an opening reception Jan. 21, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the London, Ontario, gallery at 157 Carling St.

The collection of photographs of Towell’s family life were taken over several years on and near his farm. The exhibition also includes domestic scenes of Mennonite migrant workers from Towell’s earlier book The Mennonites.

On Jan. 28, 2 p.m., the gallery will screen Towell’s film, Indecisive Moments. The video diary was honoured at the 2007 New York International Independent Film Festival.

A second exhibition of Towell’s work runs Jan. 21 to April 1 at Museum London, 421 Ridout St., N., in downtown London.

Larry Towell: Danger and Aftermath, features work exploring conflicts over issues of land, control and identity in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, as well as images from 9/11 and Afghanistan.

An opening reception is set for Jan. 27, 8 p.m.

Source the Sarnia Observer.

Filed Under: Documentary, Exhibitions
November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

History of Canadian industrial photography exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario

An exhibition currently on display at the Art Gallery on Ontario features industrial photography from 1858 to today. In the video below Canadian photographer George Hunter discusses his long career as an industrial photographer, including the time he fell out of a plane while he was doing an aerial photo shoot.

The practice of photography in Canada closely parallels the development of its industries. As railroad tracks were laid and bridges were built to allow access to remote forests and mineral-rich territories, photographers followed, as they did when mining and lumber interests developed.

These industrial activities have undeniably shaped the Canadian landscape – for better and for worse. And photographs of these activities – whether made on commission by those eager to document their contribution to national progress, or for the photographer’s own interest – continue to feed our imaginations, shape our opinions and make us aware of what is at stake.

Songs of Future: Canadian Industrial Photographs, 1858 to Today includes more than 100 photographs – by such figures as William Notman, Alexander Henderson, Richard Maynard, J.C.M. Hayward, John Vanderpant, E. Haanel Cassidy, George Hunter, Bill Vazan, Ralph Greenhill, Geoffrey James, Edward Burtynsky, Peter MacCallum, Steven Evans, Jesse Boles, and Isabelle Hayeur – most drawn from the AGO’s permanent collection, and many of which have never been shown.

Featuring sites from the west coast to the Maritimes, the exhibition showcases this other landscape tradition in Canadian art and the Canadian photographers who have described, evoked, celebrated, and cast a critical eye on our industrial landscapes for more than 150 years.


Songs of Future: Canadian Industrial Photographs, 1858 to Today runs from August 20, 2011 – April 29, 2012.

Filed Under: Exhibitions
November 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

Rock photographer Andrew MacNaughtan releases art book of africa with help from famed musicians: proceeds support World Vision

Grace: Africa in PhotographsToronto entertainment photographer and video director Andrew MacNaughtan’s latest endeavour is a unique art book that showcases the beauty of Africa and the transformational work of World Vision through a series of stunning black and white photographs. “GRACE: Africa in Photographs” will be exhibited at Arta Gallery in Toronto from November 16 – 20, 2011.

MacNaughtan, a four-time JUNO Award winner (for Rush, Our Lady Peace, Tom Cochrane and Jann Arden) has worked with some of Canada’s most notable media, entertainment and music personalities. He travelled to Tanzania and Kenya in November 2010 with the purpose of capturing the spirit and beauty of the landscapes, wildlife and people to raise funds for the prevention, care and advocacy of children in HIV/AIDS affected regions.

The idea to use these photographs in a book was taken a step further when MacNaughtan enlisted the help of friends in the recording industry to lend poetic voice to the images. More than 30 artists including Celine Dion, Michael Bublé, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Bryan Adams, Annie Lennox, Daniel Lanois, Hedley, Bruce Cockburn, Fefe Dobson, Ed Robertson, Jann Arden, Serena Ryder, Lights, Nikki Yanofsky and Tom Cochrane to name a few, graciously provided commentary to photos that inspired them.

Through ArtGivesHope, a charity founded by MacNaughtan in 2006, the sales of the limited edition images and book will support World Vision’s Hope Program. His personal goal is to generate enough awareness and funds to sponsor 500 children in need.

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Fine Art
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