A Shot of Life

This article originally appeared in The New West

Nam On is a 300-year-old farming village in south-central China. In October of 2007, Steve Speer found himself there in the role of documentarian for the Eco Village of Hope Society , a NGO working in China to build a child care centre and introduce the villagers to environmentally sustainable practices.

So what does this have to do with Calgary? Steve is one of the photographers showing at the Gallery of Photographic Arts until April 1st. The global exhibition, 3 Photographers 3 Countries , also features Bill Peters’ work from Paris and Jan Boydol’s from Portugal.

The Gallery of Photographic Arts (formerly Four by Five Gallery) is a cooperative with a mission to “advance photography as an art form and foster understanding and support for those who create, enjoy, and collect photography.” The artists represented by the gallery are a diverse cross-section of the “photographic pool of talent” which exists in Calgary, all of whom have been working for many years refining their craft. Boydol, also the Gallery Manager, explains there was previously no other gallery in western Canada which showcased only photography.

Speer, a self-described landscape photographer, discovered that China fostered a newfound love and appreciation for the portrait in him. With language being a huge barrier, showing his subjects the picture he had just taken of them was a powerful and unforgettable experience. He describes the impact a digital image can have on a personal connection:
“China is an amazingly diverse country and the rural areas still exhibit a sense of timelessness. The homes are rudimentary and the lifestyles are frugal, but the people are warm and welcoming and they exude a sense of dignity and grace.”

If you’re anything like me, in the grip of a terrible Spring Fever but can’t afford to hop on a plane, this exhibition will undoubtedly transport you to exotic and decidedly warmer climes.

For example, Bill Peters’ pictures transport you immediately to the romance of sidewalk cafés and kisses stolen by the Seine. In an invigorating contrast to the pristine solitude of Boyle’s photos, Peters’ convey the intricacies of life in one of the greatest cities on Earth. One of the patrons described the work as “containing different layers to more than one story.” Just whose story Peters is trying to tell, though, is not always immediately evident. The images, sharp and clear, make you want to jump in, sip some café and start up a conversation.

For all three artists, one can’t help but make up stories. Who are these people? What are they thinking and what has changed since these pictures were taken? How are we different, and ultimately, how are we all the same?

All shows at the Gallery run for a month with an opening reception on the first Thursday of every month. Fifty percent of the proceeds from sales of this exhibit will be donated to the Eco Village of Hope Society