Glenbow tours two historic photography exhibitions to the McMichael

Listing Information/New Exhibition
Two Photography Exhibitions Open This Weekend at the McMichael

Kleinburg, ON, September 13, 2011 … Two historical photography exhibitions about the Arctic and the early days of Montana and Alberta will be opening at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection on September 17. Both exhibitions are organized and circulated by Calgary, Alberta’s Glenbow Museum and will be on display at the McMichael until January 8, 2012.

The two exhibitions are: Arctic Life: Lomen Brothers Photography and In Focus: Photographing the Alberta and Montana Frontier, 1870-1930.

Arctic Life: Lomen Brothers Photography

Drawn to the North by tales of the gold rush and the untouched riches of Alaska, the Lomen family moved from Minnesota to Nome, Alaska, in 1903. In 1908, the brothers—Carl, Harry, Alfred, and Ralph—purchased a photography studio, quickly learning how to keep cameras in working order at Arctic temperatures.

Through a vast number of historic photographs, the Lomens documented Arctic life of the first few decades of the twentieth century. Thirty-three photographs from the Glenbow Museum collection are featured in the exhibition that includes unique images of the Inuit people of Alaska, reindeer herding (another component of the Lomen family business), and the city of Nome.

In Focus: Photographing the Alberta and Montana Frontier 1870–1930

This exhibition contains historic views of the American and Canadian Western frontiers through the eyes of the camera lens. Although the West provided photographers with new subject matter of sweeping landscapes, impressive wildlife, and adventuresome lifestyles, it also presented challenges to the photographers who were fighting the elements of gusty winds and cold temperatures.

A variety of photographers, from military forces and government/private company personnel to survey teams and scientists, all with diverse interests, contributed to numerous documentary visual records of the “Wild West.” Through their efforts, photographers recorded historical details, promoted businesses, reported events, and helped create a romantic vision of the disappearing Western frontier. Difficult as it was, photography from this historical period was often informative and artistic.

In Focus: Photographing the Alberta and Montana Frontier, 1870–1930 is composed of thirty-two photographs from the Glenbow Museum collection that focus on images of Aboriginal portraits and lifestyles, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, cowboys, and ranching.

About the McMichael

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $30 for families. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more information about the gallery, visit www.mcmichael.com.

CUTLINE: Lomen Brothers, Inuit Woman, Nowadluk, from Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, 1903, Glenbow Archives

For further information or to receive images, contact:

Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
sweir@mcmichael.com