Tag: <span>Avard Woolaver</span>

Published November 28, 2018 by

Thinking of Alex Colville (1920-2013)

Amherst, Nova Scotia, Alex Colville, painting, photo,

Amherst, Nova Scotia, 2013                           © Avard Woolaver

Like many Canadians my age, my first exposure to the artist Alex Colville was on the cover of Bruce Cockburn’s 1973 album Night Vision. The painting, titled Horse and Train, shows a horse galloping down a railroad track on collision course with an oncoming train. It had a big impact on me; it spoke of reality versus the dream world, order vs. disorder, and machine vs. nature. It was perhaps my first time seeing magic realism.

Colville spent some of his childhood in Amherst, Nova Scotia where this photo was taken. He later attended nearby Mount Allison University where he met South African poet Roy Campbell. Some lines from one of his poems inspired him to create Horse and Train.

I scorn the goose-step of their massed attack
And fight with my guitar slung on my back,
Against a regiment I oppose a brain
And a dark horse against an armoured train. — Roy Campbell

When I stumbled upon this location, I thought it might be the same one as used in the painting–the curve of the track seemed similar, and it’s in the town where he spent his youth. Though the setting was likely in the open expanses of the nearby Tantramar Marsh. My photo features a wind turbine–nature is working together with the machine, rather than against it. And it isn’t “fight the power,” rather “produce the power.”

This photo was taken just nine days before his death in 2013. He will always be remembered as one of Canada’s finest artists. You can see more of his wonderful work here: http://alexcolville.ca/gallery/

Colour Photography

Alex Colville Avard Woolaver Horse and Train painting photograph

Published November 27, 2018 by

Ryerson Campus, Toronto, 1983

Ryerson, Avard Woolaver, Toronto, 1983, Victoria and Gould,

Ryerson Campus, Toronto, 1983                            © Avard Woolaver

Ryerson University is located in downtown Toronto near Yonge-Dundas Square–one of the city’s busiest intersections. As a photography student I was given various assignments and didn’t need to go far to find interesting subject matter. This photo was taken just steps from the Film and Photography Building; it can be seen in the far left of the image. For someone like me who grew up on a farm in rural Nova Scotia, Toronto was at first big and scary. But as time passed it became a wonderful, vibrant place bursting with photographic potential.

Photography Toronto

1983 Avard Woolaver Ryerson street photography Toronto

Published November 27, 2018 by

Yonge Street, Toronto, 1982

No Money Down, Toronto, photobook, photography, Yonge Street,

Taken from the rooftop of Sam the Record Man. For me, having a camera in my hand at all times helped me remember: You only get to do this once. We have to take the time to see it as clearly as we can.

from the book: No Money Down – Toronto (1980-1986)
https://goo.gl/Km6dB1

Photography Toronto

1980s Avard Woolaver No Money Down photo book Toronto

Published November 26, 2018 by

Show Biz, Yonge Street, Toronto, 1984

Avard Woolaver, Toronto in the 1980s, Toronto, documentary, black and white,

Show Biz was a student hangout when I was attending Ryerson–a place to unwind with friends and enjoy good food and beer. The super long curly fries were memorable, and it was the first place where tried escargot (very tasty!).  There is a view of Edward Street out the window–location of Toronto landmark, The World’s Biggest Bookstore.

You’ll notice a stubby beer bottle in the foreground and a long neck bottle in the background. In the years 1982-1986 there was a transition from the stubby to the long neck. I miss the stubby, but it is available now from some craft brewers.

My friends Mark and Iris are sitting over by the window, likely talking about photography. I miss those days.

Photography Toronto

Avard Woolaver Show Biz Toronto Yonge Street

Published October 9, 2018 by

Wish You Were Here – photographs by Avard Woolaver

Wish You Were Here, photo book, photographs, Avard Woolaver, Blurb Books

When I was a teenage boy in the mid-Seventies, living in rural Nova Scotia, I spent hours studying the album covers created by Hipgnosis, the London-based design group. This was before I grew interested in photography, but, as LPs like Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” or “Ummagumma” played on the turntable, I scrutinized the covers, trying to penetrate the mysteries of the evocative, layered visual compositions. My “Wish You Were Here” is an ongoing photographic project that’s been in the works for several years. I aim to capture images that have a sense of the surreal yet are readily seen in everyday life. Additionally, I try to capture the sense of whimsy and humour that I liked about those album covers. The images come about through observation, rather than with Photoshop or other manipulations. For me, that’s an important aspect of the project–there’s no manipulation of the image. Reflections, juxtaposition, and scale all come into play.

Product Details
10×8 in, 25×20 cm
Hardcover, 44 Pages
42 colour photographs
Available through Blurb Books and can be previewed before purchase.

photo book Photography

Avard Woolaver photo book Wish You Were Here