Henry Feather

Growing up in the 50's in Toronto, Feather developed a fascination for the photographic image when he was given a "home darkroom kit" at age seven. From that point on he borrowed cameras and photographic equipment from friends and family until he purchased his first camera in 1969.

Feather studied photography at Ryerson Polytechnic University and attended York University and the University of Calgary. Following his studies he began his career as a commercial photographer. A very strong graphic sense and subtle manipulation of light marks his work.

Feather began exploring handmade gelatin prints in 1989. This medium has brought an illustrative quality to his work, which evokes an appreciation of beauty in the play of light and relationship of the elements to each other within the composition. Later in the 1990’s, his exploration of photographic illustration led to works employing Polaroid manipulation techniques. As he would explain, “This was my first use of colour photography outside the commercial world.”

Henry Feather Biography

Sky...Sky...Sky by Henry Feather Opening May 13, 2005 at Abbozzo Gallery

In grade nine our science teacher would pace around the room while we performed the day's experiment and say to us, ' serendipity people, serendipity'. There are many clichés that say the same thing. Can't see the forest for the trees...etc.

Often we don't notice the obvious. We are too surrounded by the complexities of modern life, of ringing gadgets in pockets and taking the next meeting. So much so that we take for granted what is right in front of us. We don't notice the large details let alone the small ones. Vermeer was said to have commented on the complexity of clouds and how they are rarely white as most people perceive them.

For skies the clouds serve as a pallet of colours, shapes and movement. Visually they illustrate a wide range of emotion from high energy, often chaotic, to calm, serene...quite meditative. For this project I have chosen to show the more meditative illustrations.

My hope is that after seeing this work that you will take a minute and notice, see, what is around you.

Serendipity people, ... serendipity.

4 pm - 2 by Henry Feather
4 pm - 2
42 X 11.5 inches
Photograph

Church by Henry Feather
Church
42 x 9.75 inches
Photograph

Dingle Park 2 by Henry Feather
Dingle Park 2
42 X 10 Inches
Photograph

Sunday by Henry Feather
Sunday
42 X 13 Inches
Photograph

Dingle Park 1
23 X 41 Inches
Photograph

Dingle Park 3
12 X 42 inches
Photograph

October Sky - February 2005
23 X 41 inches
Photograph