Arto Djerdjerian: Ya Ha Tinda - The Ranch

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Arto Djerdjerian, “On the Nose,” July 2019

digital print (courtesy of the Museum)

Opening Reception: January 26th, 7-9pm

In Ya Ha Tinda: The Ranch, photographer Arto Djerdjerian showcases an intimate view of the everyday lives of those at Ya Ha Tinda, a ranch where horses are wintered and trained for use by Parks Canada wardens in our national mountain parks. Djerdjerian has been photographing life at Canada's only federally owned and operated working horse ranch for six years. His work provides a window to a very special place that has rarely been photographically documented.

By carefully observing the workday routine at the ranch, Djerdjerian captures the ranch's gritty, hard work as well as the magnificent animals and natural beauty. Blue skies and snow-capped peaks offer a stunning backdrop to the tonal variances of the horses. This combination of landscape, horse and history creates a sense of magic in a place apart from our norm.

Born in Cairo, Egypt to Armenian parents, Djerdjerian was raised in Montreal where he went on to study photography, practicing seriously since the age of sixteen. Living and working in Alberta since 1977, Djerdjerian is dedicated full-time to his practice as a photographer in Alberta.

Arto Djerdjerian is interested in the integration of fine art and photography. He continues to expand his vision and environment photography, from the urban world of New York City to Montreal to the backyard to the wilderness of Alberta to Wyoming. He combines horses, people, mountains, and history in his skillful photographs taken in some of the wildest and untamed places.