Wayne Cook, Markham, Ontario, Canada
Member Since June 2011
Artist Statement I started taking photographs of rural landscapes in 1961 using my fathers Kodak Brownie, some 50 years ago. In 1964, I was given a Leica M3 which I used until 1969. That year, I began to experiment with Poloraid cameras. By 1978, I had aquired a Canon 35 mm camera, which I used until 1988. Now, I use a Nikon exclusively. I have been an oil painter since the 1970s and my father taught me some skills in etching on copper. I have also experimented with some sculpture in wood. My focus has been Muskoka and my aboriginal roots and heritage from northern Ontario. I am of Metis heritage, along with Scottish, English, Dutch, German, French and Spanish (Canada 1640’s maternal family members). My roots have been traced back to Spain in 1492, where my family were Merchant Bankers, Merchants and land owners in Spain. My paternal family were expelled from Spain, moved to Germany, Holland, the U.K and then to Canada.
My passion is fine art photography, which refers to photographs that are created to fulfill the creative vision of the artist. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism and commercial photography. Fine art photography is created primarily as an expression of the artist’s vision, but has also been important in advancing certain causes.
Fine art describes an art form developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than utility.This type of art is often expressed in the production of art objects using visual and performing art forms, including painting, sculpture, music, dance, theatre, architecture, photography and printmaking. Schools, institutes, and other organizations often use the term to indicate a traditional perspective on the art forms, often implying an association with classic or academic art.
My photographic interests reflect my life and I have photographed in London, Rome, Florence, Paris, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Lisbon, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mexico, Panama City Vancouver and Toronto.
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