As an ongoing project, Gabriola Photography Club curates the art display space downstairs at the Gabriola Medical Clinic on Church Street, Gabriola Island. Club members take turns having solo exhibitions or taking part in group exhibitions.

We’re very pleased to present a new exhibit by Dirk Huysman, entitled “Size Matters”. Dirk explains his theme as follows:

Back in my darkroom days in the 80’s and 90’s, I believed that a photograph was not finished until it was successfully printed. This was typical in the film days as the form a photograph took unprinted was a negative. I struggled with the hope of making images match the size I wanted. For a variety of reasons, an 11” by 14” image seemed the largest my photographs could manage retaining the image quality I wanted.

In the digital world of photography, the same challenges exist, but there are more ways to increase the size of a good image. The choice of size desired then is up to the wishes of the photographer or those purchasing a photograph. I remember talking to Victor Anthony about why all of the photos he displayed were in the 8”x10” format. His response was quick and articulate. He wanted his photographs viewed up close and intimately. He was, through size
choice, inviting the viewer to step closer to his image to enjoy it.

When I mounted my first photography show at Artworks way back, I ventured into somewhat larger prints. Jeff Molloy upon looking at the show made a comment that was interesting. He said “Great images, but to coin a phrase, ‘go big or go home!’ ”. The choices were placed before me. Invite intimacy or go big! While I loved my 13”x19” printer, I turned around and bought a used 24 inch wide Epson Printer and spent a lot of money on photo paper in rolls. To date, my largest prints are 24”x36’ inches. The challenge, they need space and framing became quite expensive. Other choices arose such as printing on metal, plaque mounting, canvas and the list goes on. Featured in this show are prints from 13”x19” to 24”x36”. What do you think? Does size matter?

Dirk goes on to explain his vision and subject matter in his artist statement:

Since I was a child sitting outside of the bathroom in our basement with its glowing red light shining out from the bottom of the door, I have been fascinated by photography and the creation of the photograph. My father would invite me into that dark room once in a while, to watch the image appear on paper in the developing tray. Magic was what came to my mind. The whole process, from staring through view finder, creating an image from the mind’s eye to hanging the printed image on a wall, still remains magic to me.

These days my time is divided between created 3D sculptures in glass that capture and bend light to creating 2D prints that capture the light of the world. It is all about the light that makes both of these pursuits so wonderful and magical. I love both forms of creation.

My preferences in photography are the creation of what I call ‘lightly abstracted landscapes’, though playing with the cameras in my life is always fun regardless of what I am photographing.

Photos © Dirk Huysman