MAIN SPACE EXHIBITION
FEBRUARY 7 – MARCH 1, 1987
RECEPTION: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1987 AT 8PM

LOCATION: STRIDE GALLERY
722, 11 AVE S.W, CALGARY, ALBERTA

EXHIBITION INFORMATION:
In these latest photos by Holly King, we encounter a dark and mysterious realm of iconography at once photographic and theatrical — or perhaps, more accurately, pictorial. In previous shows by this artist (most notably, at Saidye Bronfman and Graff), the human figure was an important element in the dramatic action; these works, however, exhibit a more formal and autonomous structure (including no human presence).

This use of the human figure was perhaps a necessary step in familiarizing the viewer with King’s imaginary world. By freeing her images of this presence, has the artist followed wome inner imperative, or is this merely a temporary digression? In earlier photos, the human figure or character, if you will, played the role of performer, and conferred a theatrical or dramatic aspect to the work.

Obviously, the photographic “freezing” of the image could only create an illusion of performance, capturing a single instant in the drama. In these latest works, the focus is no longer on a human character central to the image, but on the luminous centre of a stage-like setting. Yet it was only one year ago, at an impressive exhibition organized by Articule, that the artist showed four photos in which a central character was spectacularly highlighted as the major element in the work.