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Andrew Oxenham

Photography has long been my passion. Ever since injury meant I had to leave my first profession which was as a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, I have been behind the lens of a camera.

My first photographic subjects were dancers. As a dancer myself, I appreciated the flow of movement and the drama created by lighting. (It was a fun experience photographing those I had previously danced with.)

Now when I look at a flower, it is like seeing a dancer on stage, in the spotlight, before an audience. But the spotlight is my studio lighting; the stage is my studio; and the audience is you. Just as each dancer has a unique style, each flower is unique, and it is this uniqueness that I wish to capture.

Lighting creates a mood, whether it’s on the stage, in your home, or out in nature. And so, in my photography I like to use lighting to create a mood, usually one of drama. I want to communicate to the viewer the incredible beauty I see in flowers, as well as the emotion I feel, in a setting which I create.

Each time I’m photographing a new flower, I try to make the image different from those I’ve previously shot. Sometimes it can take two days of shooting before I’m happy with what I see. Unlike dancers who will gladly do a position over and over, flowers will sometimes fade before my very eyes. However, one of my favourite photos is one I took of fading roses. The drama in that photo speaks to me. It tells a story.

 

VeronicaRose

 

Route 22 Gallery is located on the land of the Treaty 7 people. In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Treaty 7 territory and the cultural and oral practices of the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations as well as the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, (Métis Nation District 4) within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. It is a privilege and and an honour to share these lands as our collective home.

Route 22 is an inclusive organization. We love our gallery – all are welcome here.

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