V E N I C E

Continuous Exhibition

"I am re-defining the clichéd and over saturated vision we have of the most photographed city in the world: Venice.

The work presented is the direct antithesis, and challenge to that mindset, and represents my vision of a landscape through which millions move, but unfortunately one which most are totally unawares.

Eight million people a year visit Venice, blindly strolling this stage of light and shadow, through veils of darkness and luminescence, like actors on a stage performing to the few remaining inhabitants. I want to reawaken these people to the subtle beauty, gentle embrace and mystery emerging from the shadow of the parallel world that co-exists in this digital age of over stimulation. I want to create images that surprise with an immediate resonance and emotional impact; that leave more questions than answers. Visually they should have the same effect as listening to a piece of music.

This work is my symphony.

I don’t work with tripods or monopods and my images have not been manipulated digitally, so what the camera has seen exists in our reality. I work with small Leica’s and wide lenses, giving me the freedom to move, turn on a dime and shoot from the hip; much like a Jazz musician working on a riff then jettisoning it when it doesn’t work. If I have to think about it before the shutter has been released then the image is already gone"

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Peter Martin was born in Toronto, Canada and developed his first pictures at the age of 13.  He became a professional at 16 when a photo was published on the front page of a Toronto daily newspaper. At 17 he began free-lancing and continued his career as a staff photographer for newspapers in 3 Canadian cities: Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal. He has since covered more than 10,000 assignments over a 40-year career and has traveled extensively on assignment throughout North America, Europe, the Orient and the South Pacific photographing sports, fashion, portraits and in depth features. In 2004 he resigned from the Montreal Gazette after 16 years on staff to pursue personal projects

Peter has won significant critical recognition for his work including a Canadian National Newspaper Award and Recognition of Achievement Awards from both the Ontario and Alberta News Photographers Association.

In 2008 his photograph of Canadian hero Terry Fox was chosen by Canada's National History Society as one of "10 IMAGES THAT CHANGED CANADA". The photo, at number 4, was chosen by a select group of Canada's premier photographers, photo-editors and photography instructors who were asked to select 10 photos from Canada's past that, they felt, had the greatest influence and impact on the country.

His photography has been displayed in several solo and numerous group exhibits in Canada the US and Europe. In 2009 his work was recognized by the Leica Fotografie International Magazine in Germany.

“A fertile source of motivation has always been music. For me these images represent my own symphony. Visually they should be able to transport us to a place or memory or idea that inspires or warms our hearts.  Light, shadow, texture...the visual architecture…they all work together the way a great lyric and melody blend together. I think there is too much importance placed on analysis and dissection of individual pieces of art and photography. The bottom line is how the work speaks to us emotionally, viscerally...and most importantly...how does it make us feel.”