James K. Farrell: Hands at Work in Medicine Hat
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Medalta in the Historic Clay District 713 Medalta Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 3K9
James K. Farrell, "Hands at Work in Medicine Hat," 2018
Opening March 8, 2018 6 - 8 pm
A collection of 39 black and white photographs by James K. Farrell follow the experience of 17 makers in Medicine Hat. The exhibition explores a range of professions–from ceramist to cobbler to farrier–through the people, objects, materials and tools of each handcraft.
This exhibition is part of Alberta’s Exposure Photography Festival, which features over 30 venues exhibiting photography in the month of February. To find out out more visit www.exposurephotofestival.com
Artist statement
The “Hands at Work” series began as I was exploring opportunities to chronicle professions that may be disappearing right before our eyes. This series has drawn me into the lives of some wonderful people and given me an appreciation of work and trades and interests and talents that otherwise would not have touched my life if I had not entered the spheres of work carried out by these generous models.
Most of these photographs were created using Leica and Zeiss manual focus lenses on a variety of camera bodies. Isolating focus draws the eye to the centre of the story while the bokeh in these images keeps the greater story in play.
I hope the moments you spend looking at these images—images that for me represent what has become a 4 year project—will encourage you to appreciate and reflectively observe the work carried out by those with whom you share the moments of your day. —James K. Farrell
Artist Biography
James Farrell’s fascination with photography is very nearly a half century old. While he grew up in Ontario, worked in the mining industry in both Northern Ontario and Manitoba, sailed the Great Lakes with Canada Steamship Lines, worked in the automotive industry, studied marine navigation, natural resources, classical studies and finally theology, photography journeyed with him as a constant companion. Travelling throughout Canada as a United Church minister gave him the opportunity to observe and photograph the people, the land and the moments that make life special. Since retiring from active ministry in 2012, he has been able to dedicate more time to his life-long passion and has been, by his own admission, fortunate enough to travel to exotic world locations with his partner, Ken, where diverse subjects continue to allow him broaden his photographic vision. Whether capturing images of Massai warriors, endangered animals, Peruvian children, the French Riviera, locations off the coast of India or framing moments with family and friends in Alberta, image making is where he continues to find joy.