8" x 10"
Framed photography 2024
@chris_mack_photos
At age 15, Christine Mack embarked upon what is now known as her photography journey when her parents gave her her first camera. Later, this continued with formal studies of photography at York University and Humber College, combined with studying painting and drawing at the Ontario College of Art and Design.
As a photo educator for 30 years, Christine taught photography classes as well as workshops. With her students she explored the many possibilities within photography. This ranged from historical darkroom techniques and experimental photography and on into the beginnings of the digital world.
1988 was the beginning of exhibiting her personal photo art and this has continued in galleries all around Ontario. With her own work, she's always tried to break the rules of literalism, preferring the use of alternative photo based processes that sometimes blur the distinction between photography and painting. This visual magic can enhance or disturb the ordinary and seems to be commonly my approach to presenting her interpretations of the world around her.
Photography has become a constant state of mind and shapes Christine's view of the world. Over the years her inspiration comes from a deep desire to capture the mysteries found in ordinary subjects whether urban or rural, landscapes or portraits.
THE STORY:
Going backwards to when I lived in Toronto, I photographed the railway lands and abandoned urban industrial sites..urban decay. Many of the sites were in disrepair but told their own story of the once used buildings. Moving from Toronto to Midland I was now surrounded by wilderness and nature including my backyard garden. My images took a turn towards the stories told by the tall trees and the beauty of nature. Now finding myself in Hamilton, continuing with my practice, a new story is to be told. I find myself combining and contrasting industry and nature with my images sparking a conversation between the two and as to how they co-exist.
“Photography is an art of observation. It has little
to do with the things you see and everything to
do with the way you see them”
Elliot Erwitt
*Please note: Purchased works are available for pickup on Sat. Oct 5th from 12-3pm, otherwise, arrangements will be made between collectors and buyers directly following the Art Circuit.