IRL
Jordon Hon, 2021, 魚 / Fish are a symbol of wealth
FEATURED ARTISTS
Jordon Hon
Wesley O’Driscoll
Lexi Pendzich
Salem Zurch
IRL features the work of four Edmonton-based photographers working with film, whose work is rooted in intimate portraiture: photographing themselves, peers, or places, striking a tender balance between isolation and community.
Contemporary photography lives largely online. We’re responding to this by displaying the works as large-scale prints, directly on the gallery walls, and encouraging viewers to engage more deeply with photography through interactive programming throughout the run of the exhibition.
Lexi Pendzich, Skate Portraits
About the Artists
Jordon Hon 韓寶軒 (he/him) is a visual artist and community organizer born and raised in amiskwaciwâskahikan / Edmonton with Hong Kong Chinese ethnic roots. He uses a camera to document his relations, urban spaces, and cultural communities like Chinatowns while also curating art projects and organizing experiences to bring people together. Jordon believes in the power of photography to shed light on truths, archive moments in time, and spark radical imagination.
Wesley O’Driscoll is a photographer, making work in an attempt to disrupt the boredom of everyday life. His practice relies on organically documenting situations around him, rather than seeking opportunities to curate, and stage, subject matter. Wesley's photography comes from a perpetual curiosity to see how his environment translates into imagery.
About the Work
These photos were taken during routine evening walks around downtown Edmonton. Viewing the environment from a permanent, seated position offers a consistently different perspective of his surroundings, allowing for candid snapshots such as these to be captured while they may remain otherwise unremarkable from a higher vantage point.
Lexi Pendzich is a photographer. Her lens-based work focuses on documentary photography, daily life, and portraiture. She’s inspired by the power of images to tell stories, and personal narratives and capture moments that wouldn’t otherwise be documented. Her photographic works explore the lightness of adventure - scenes she's stepped into and placed in a creative capsule. Her most recent recent project documents women and LGBTQ+ skateboarders in the community.
Lexi received her BA in Art History and Anthropology from the University of Alberta (2008). She has shown work at The Gallery at CASA (Lethbridge, AB), 519 Gallery (Lethbridge, AB), and Publication Studio (Edmonton, AB). She produced a DIY zine, My Dog in My Place, a book of photographs and poetry, and published AGENDA 2036, a publication that's an ode to planning for the future, with Publication Studio Edmonton. Lexi has donated work to art auctions including Schmoozy (Latitude 53) and Art Frenzy (Southern Alberta Art Gallery). Artist residencies include hcma (Edmonton, AB).
Artist Statement
I’m a lens-based artist whose work focuses on documentary photography and portraiture. This is a series of portraits regarding a visual narrative that reflects upon women and LGBTQ+ skateboarders. I’m inspired by the power of images to tell stories, and personal narratives and capture moments that may not otherwise be documented.
These photographic works visually explore the stories of women and LGBTQ+ skateboarders and address the progress in the sport and culture of skateboarding. My work showcases that skateboarding is about community and inclusivity. It’s a celebration of identity and belonging, and these portraits reflect just that. Through exhibiting this photography work in the community, I hope more people become connected to celebrate community and the art of skateboarding.
Women and LGBTQ+ skateboarders are actively proving with their presence, skill, and style, that they deserve recognition and to take up space within the scene to be visibly present. These portraits show powerful and skilled people, further bringing attention to their individuality and uniqueness.
My work highlights how the skate community is growing and empowering a broad range of powerful voices. Skate culture is an empowering space defined by people exploring the potential of the urban domain through their sport, through a sense of togetherness, and elevating each other. These are boundary-breaking women and LGBTQ+ community members who are in the scene (from beginner to experienced skaters), and who are encouraging others to break boundaries.
This series shown at Latitude 53 showcases the expanding culture of skateboarding and highlights incredible people, giving voice to their identities, journey, and love of skateboarding..
Salem Zurch (they/them) is a prairie-based multimedia storyteller and photographer. Born and raised in a small town in Alberta, they have declared amiskwacîwâskahikan as their muse. Salem's vision of the prairies paints it as the backdrop to the stories of flourishing Black and Indigenous creatives, and their work as an experimental filmmaker and photographer aims to elevate narratives that center the stories, aesthetics, and values of prairie queers.
