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Username: RobertK
Member Since: May 2011
Member Since: May 2011
Brantford, Ontario Canada
Artist’s Statement:
Shibui from Wabi-sabi
In the contrast of figure and environment where the female form denotes the life cycle (to some extent representational of the mother earth, or Gaia), locations take on new meanings. In the decay of both ...
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| Gender: | Male |
| Artist Statement: | Artist’s Statement: Shibui from Wabi-sabi In the contrast of figure and environment where the female form denotes the life cycle (to some extent representational of the mother earth, or Gaia), locations take on new meanings. In the decay of both nature and man made objects there is a beauty beyond the apparent transition of objects to another form. This transition is inherent in the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi. The movement from one state to another is constant and uniform; there is no empty moment, there is always a transitioning. An empty room to the western eye is not empty to the practitioner of Wabi Sabi, who sees not emptiness but possibilities. The room is in transition. This is an essential part of the expression contained in my images. My camera has captured a single moment, a single possibility in the ongoing transition of all things within a frame of reference. In these works beauty is better understood as a quality associated with harmony of form, the exquisite balance of composition, truthfulness, originality, and the dignified aspects of experience beyond superficial appearance or mere prettiness. “Prettiness” as it is, so narrowly defined in current society, is not a goal or a desired quality of these images, but rather, tactility and the notion of man’s abandonment of objects. The images take on a life of their own. This is the dialogue... a dialogue of possibility, transitions: the core of Wabi Sabi. These are the two concepts drawn from the rich history of the Japanese cultural aesthetic, Wabi and Sabi. Over time the two ideas incorporated in these words combined to form a new word, wabi-sabi, describing an aesthetic sensibility. Wabi-sabi speaks to the very heart of the images I create. In all matters, including the use of black and white as a medium, wabi-sabi is the guiding influence. Expanded, Wabi means simplicity, quietude, and things fresh and simple. It also incorporates rustic beauty. It encompasses that which is made by nature and by man. It can include an accidental or happenstance element where even a small flaw gives elegance and uniqueness to the whole... such as the delicate pattern of shade and light found in a wall of peeling paint or the decay (transition) of a whole factory. To the Japanese, wabi can also denote loneliness, desolation, rustic simplicity, quiet taste, lack of ostentation and even melancholy refinement. Sabi signifies those things whose beauty stems from age. It refers to the accumulation of age, where an object appears more beautiful and valuable due to the changes that come from use. There is an implied understanding of the appreciation of the cycles of life. My images extend the concepts of wabi-sabi to contemporary locations and environments. The figure is not a focal point of the image but a companion to the inherent contrast within. In Leonard Koren’s book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers, he suggests: "A certain love of roughness is involved, behind which lurks a hidden beauty, to which we refer in our peculiar adjectives shibui, wabi and sabi. .. It is this beauty with inner implications that is referred to as shibui. It is not a beauty displayed before the viewer by its creator.. a piece that will lead the viewer to draw beauty out of it for themselves. The world may abound with different aspects of beauty. Each person, according to his disposition and environment, will feel a special affinity to one or another aspect. But when their taste grows more refined, they will necessarily arrive at the beauty that is shibui." |
| Education: | EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS 1983 Ontario Teachers Certificate, The University of Western Ontario. Deans Honour List 2004 British Columbia Teachers Certificate, Standard Certificate, British Columbia College of Teachers 1990 Communications Technology, Additional Teaching Qualification, The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education 1992 Bachelor of Arts, Completed first year, entered second. The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Social Science 1989 Welding Technologies, Additional Teaching Qualification, The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education 1988 Visual Arts, Additional Teaching Qualification, The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education 1988 Honours Specialist, Additional Teaching Qualification The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education 1987 Wood Technology, Additional Teaching Qualification, The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education 1977 Advanced Communications-Photography, Three Year Program, Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology |
| Awards & Distinctions: | Major Awards National Association of Photographic Artists1989 Professional Photographers of America Award for Photographic Excellence1977 International Society of Printing House Craftsmen, First Prize1983 Professional Photographers of Canada Commercial Illustration Accreditation 1981 Professional Photographers of Canada Advertising Accreditation1981 Rutherford Photographic Award for Black and White Illustration1981 Vivitar Canada Major Award Commercial Category 1981 BGM Colour First Award Best Colour Illustration1981 Pentax Canada Ltd., First Award Best Black and White Illustration1981 Hasselblad Award for Photographic Excellence1981 Advertising Art Society of London Award of Excellence, Colour Illustration 1984 Advertising Art Society of London Award of Excellence, Packaging1984 Professional Photographers of Ontario, Western Ontario Branch, First Commercial1980 Professional Photographers of Ontario, Western Ontario Branch, First Illustration1980 Intermediate and Merit Awards Professional Photographers of Ontario, Western Ontario Branch First 1981 Professional Photographers of Ontario, Western Ontario Branch First Black and White1980 Western Fair Association, Photo Salon, First Award Black and White1980 Western Fair Association, Photo Salon, First Award Colour1979 Western Fair Association, Photo Salon, First Award Black and White1979 Professional Photographers of Canada, National Print Show Award of Merit Illustration 1981 Professional Photographers of Canada, Accepted Colour Illustration1981 Professional Photographers of Canada, Accepted Colour Pictorial1980 Professional Photographers of Canada, Accepted Black and White 1981 Ontario Student Print Competition Award of Excellence, Black and White1976 Ontario Student Print Competition Award of Excellence, Colour1976 |
| Professional/Teaching Experience: | 1992-2011 Department Head-Teacher, Senior Intermediate Division Thames Valley District School Board London, Ontario. Administrative Responsibilities-Department Head Supervise and monitor staff. Provide day-to-day leadership for instructional programs and services; curricular/curriculum development, coordinate with staff and administration on planning, program development and review, budgeting, evaluation of staff; assist in coordinating schedules, timetable and utilization of resources, responsible for ensuring quality standards in program delivery. Sit on Cabinet, and assist in the hiring of staff. Teaching Responsibilities-Studio Instructor/Teacher Develop, prepare, and deliver fine art photography, digital media, video and related imaging in a studio environment. Integrated still and video media using various s software, typically Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Premier. Teach and apply green screen effects to combine various media in digital video format. Deliver programs to all academically streamed levels in broadcast journalism, television practices including ENG-EFP, visual art, basic and advanced photography studio practices including darkroom, and digital arts. Digital manipulation and imaging with Photoshop and Illustrator, PC (windows 98-2000pro), and Macintosh platforms (OS-X Panther). 1986-92 Studio Instructor-Bealart, School of Fine Art. Board of Education for the City of London Studio and Visual Arts Instructor. Developed, prepared and delivered visual arts and studio curriculum to all levels of students including post secondary students. In a studio environment, instructed and mentored intermediate and advanced students in photography. Facilitated critical analysis of artworks, and guided students through the development of final portfolios and thematic choices for exhibition. 1984-92 Lac Mac Ltd. Creative Consultant Provided to the community a wide range of creative print and video resources and solutions. In a team environment created and initiated media resources using video and print to support various organizations and satisfy corporate mandates. 1977-86 Manager/Partner Cheshire, McHugh and Associates. London, Ontario. Operated a full service media studio providing creative print and video communication resources to Southwestern Ontario. 1976-84 Instructor Fanshawe College, Continuing Education Program Adult Education instructor: basic and advanced photography. |
| Exhibitions: | 2005 Transitional Forms, Axmith, McIntyre,Wicht: Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario 2004 Without Intent, The Arts Project: Exhibition, London, Ontario 2003 Without Intent, Art Exchange. London, Ontario 2003 Human Remains, McManus Theatre, London, Ontario 2002 Recent Works, McManus Theatre, London, Ontario 2002 Recent Works, Art Exchange Continuous Exhibition, London, Ontario 2002 Without Explanation, The Arts Project: Book launch, London, Ontario 2002 Without Explanation, The Arts Project: Exhibition, London, Ontario 2000 Sylvia, McManus Theatre, London, Ontario 1979 Portfolio, Yonge-Eglington Centre, Toronto, Ontario. 1977 Portfolio, City Centre Gallery, London, Ontario. 2005 Group Show-Fran Willis Gallery, Victoria BC 2003 Resident Studio Artists Exhibition-The Arts Project, London, Ontario 1999 Art Exchange Continuous Exhibition, London, Ontario 1989 McIntosh Gallery; University of Western Ontario. 1989 National Association of Photographic Artists, Exhibition, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 1985 Hang Ups Gallery, London, Ontario. 1984 Advertising Art Society of London. 1983 International Society of Printing House Craftsmen, Toronto, Ontario 1982 Professional Photographers of Canada National Print Show Ottawa, Ontario 1981 Professional Photographers of Ontario, London, Ontario 1981 Professional Photographers of Canada National Print Show, Toronto, Ontario COLLECTIONS AND PUBLICATIONS Without Explanation by Robert Cheshire, Printed Alymer ON, 2002 ISBN 0-919939-62-7 Minolta, Mahwah, NJ. USA Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Mortsel, Belgium Victor Hasselblad A.B. Goteborg, Sweden Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa Permanent Print Collection The Arts Project, London, Ontario, Permanent Print Collection Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Permanent Print Collection The Arts Exchange, London, Ontario, Permanent Print Collection Private and Corporate, Canada 2005 180 Degrees-March 2005 Ventures In Art, Article/Review 2003 Forum-No2, 2003 Issue 39, Book Review 2003 London Free Press “Without Intent” Section C, November 11 2002 CFPL Television: Arts Report, November 20 2002 Scene magazine: Arts Report, November 14 2002 London Free Press “Without Explanation” November 21 1991 Education Forum Summer Issue 1991 1985 CKCO Radio News “Interview” June 12 1981 CFPL TV. Ross Daily Report, London, Ontario 1980 London Free Press Section C2 “Beauty and Beans” April 15 1979 Photo Life; February Issue |
| Artist Tags: | black and white, nude, color, location, studio |
