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last update - aug 18.08
Spirit Photographers Show Winners Display Diverse Talents
August 17, 2008 - Winners were announced today in the second annual Spirit of the Hills Juried Photography Exhibit and Sale held in association with the Warkworth Long Lunch.
Thirteen photographers contributed a total of thirty-four photographs that were on display over the weekend at the Percy Heritage Centre (Memorial Community Hall), in downtown Warkworth.
The exhibit judge was Ian Brown well-respected for his documentary photo exhibition Lost Between River and Sky that was commissioned by Doctors Without Borders to depict medical relief in the Darrien Gap region of northern Columbia. The exhibition travelled from the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto to New York, Amsterdam and Paris. Fans of Cottage Life magazine will recognize Ian's name as a judge in their annual competition. Brown is also a judge in Contact - Toronto’s annual photography festival.
The thirty-four photographs were judged on technical merit, creativity, composition, the overall “feel” of the image, plus the capturing of the “decisive moment”. In other words, was the photograph set-up? Or, does it capture a special moment in time?
Brown chose an untitled work by local photographer Bob Leahy as the first place “best in show”, since: “As a first impression, one’s eyes are drawn to the photograph from afar because of the composition and colour. It’s a good technical shot that juxtaposes urban and nature. Plus the sweeping line of the central path draws viewers right into the photograph. This is a good example of the “decisive moment”. Leahy has not forced the image; rather it’s a spot, and a moment, that he has captured.” Leahy currently has his own exhibit on display at the Campbellford Public Library until October. An ex-banker turned AIDS activist, Leahy is one of four contributing photographers to the photo book A Year in the Life of Warkworth. His work is regularly featured in Watershed magazine and has also appeared in the pages of the Toronto Star, Harrowsmith magazine and many other publications.
Second place went to Jennifer Gibson for her work entitled Umbra. Brown explained his choice by observing, “Technically this is great. I like the way the image is printed so that some of the darker tones establish mood. She has used a macro lens that takes an every day piece of the world and frames it so that it forces the viewer to stop and look at the shadow of leaves on a rock as well as the relationship between shadow and light. I love the fact that there is an element that leaves the viewer wondering”. This is the second time in less than six months that Gibson has been a winner in a Spirit of the Hills arts show. Gibson was the first place winner in the photography category last March for her photograph Luna in the 8th annual Juried Art Sale and Exposition that was part of the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival, March 7 – 9, 2008.
Third place was awarded to Gerald Taylor for his photograph entitled Open Door Policy that is part of his Old Building Series. Judge Ian Brown explained, “This is a very nice image and presentation. I like that there is an abstractness to it. There is also a moment of stillness. This is one of those scenes that everyone has seen a thousand times. But the way he has captured the image forces the viewer to think. What’s intriguing is that even though it is a simple image, it allows for a lot of interpretation.
Three photographs by Mary Weilandt (Serenity, Water Reflections and Glass) received Honourable Mentions.
Prizes were donated by Tippet Richardson and the Royal Bank.
Juried Art Show 2008
Dean Peters welcome to Spirit of the Hills
Claus receiving first place finish
Second Place: Erwin Rummel, “Corn & Green Peppers”
Judge’s Comments: “The painting is homespun; almost like a tapestry. It’s pure dimensional texture. It’s equally rendered all way round with perfect professionalism.”
Award of Merit: Mary McEwan, “Row of Trees”
Judge’s Comments: “The impressionism gives the feeling of a tapestry with just enough realism to make you want to see things in the painting such as the boats or tents.”
Third Place: Gundi Viviani-Finch, “Highly Sprung”
Judge’s Comments: “I love the texture of the piece with metal and glass. I also love the smooth glass circle against the crisp glass edges. Overall, I love the feeling of construction.”
First Place: Jennifer Gibson, “Luna”
Judge’s Comments: “I love the overall composition of the photograph; especially the textured colour and historical mood. It’s almost like sculpture.”
Award of Merit: Paul Portelli, “Emerge”
Judge’s Comments: “The sculpture conveys humour, i.e. the feeling of a bird coming out of an egg, looking at the world and laughing. It’s being born like a blackbird baked in a pie”.
Award of Merit: Russ Moore and Sue Williams, “Smoke”
Judge’s Comments: “The mood is melancholy. The photo conveys a simple life in the country. Makes me want to go and sit by the fire.”
Award of Merit: Mary Weilandt, “Sparkle”
Judge’s Comments: “The lily pads are gothically beautiful. They look crystallized, like ice. A great composition.”
Stephen Snider receiving Peoples Choice Award
Bartenders John And Gerry
First Day of Show Snowstorm
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