The sewer workers, who have to wade through deep water, put on watertight waders., 1932
Eric Borchert, German, 1900 - 1942
Gelatin silver print
Overall: 24.2 x 18 cm
Anonymous Gift, 2002
© 2013 Art Gallery of Ontario
35
I’m surrounded by such talented people at school.
Such as mister mattwaples:
Imperfect X
20”x30” Inkjet Print
“Imperfect
This series of images was created in order to visualize a rejection and deconstruction of certain conceptions of perfection in photography. The conceptions in question stem from several areas of photography and the photographic print, but in this case are loosely focused within fashion advertising imagery. A form of imagery that is deeply rooted within the confines of physical and technical perfection. Just as this referenced imagery, each of these images underwent extensive retouching, rendering a subjectively perfected human form. The images were printed as approximately 5”x9” black and white inkjet prints; then manipulated manually using various watercolour paints, scratching, and solvents. These working prints were then scanned and enlarged to 400%, revealing a degradation of photographic information from both the paper texture and resolution of the printer. This process itself creates a “destruction” of the photographic information present, and obscures this previously perfected human form. While the human form itself does lose sharpness and detail from the enlargement, the paint, and physical marks on the print remain sharp and vivid; what we are left with is a conversation between an imperfect, organic abstract form and a degraded, constructed photographic ideal.
While going about this project, I was drawn to several sources for references and information from photography and painting. One of the main photographic and conceptual inspirations stem from pictorialism, and the idea of manual manipulation of the photograph, and photographic print. The colours used in the series are mainly based off of primary colours, a pallet reflective of De Stijl paintings. A movement of painting lead by artist’s like Mondrian, who use elementary colours, paired with black and white, constructed forms.
7My friend Jacob did a great series of people and their pets. Check it out.
Series People and their pets:
Capturing the intimate interactions between people and their pets in their own natural settings. None of these photographs are force or posed, they are all natural.Haley & Morrissey (Hedge Hog)
Erich & Oscar (Rabbit)
Joyce & Philip (Turtle)
Helen & Aloysius (Cat)
Meagan & Zephyr (Hamster)
Paige & Estraven (Water Salamander)
James & Huck Dunter (Dog)
Andrew, Ingrid & Gretchen (Rats)
Series was shot all on 4x5 and with colour negative film (ektar)
Double Exposure of poster on brick.
4
Untitled No. 3
Chair Silhouette.
3
Untitled No. 2
Chair Silhouette.
1
Untitled No. 1
Chair Silhouette.
3
Spotty.
Black Swan: The White Swan
created by Nathan Dunn
6
Grandparents
4
Self Portrait.
3
Cavan Creek
3
Cavan Tree Creek.
3Collaborative video portrait I created with writer, poet, and chef, Kate Burnham.
2 
