exhibition Archives

Mar 11

Lillian Bassman at London’s Atlas Gallery

By tedwitek News & Blog

On the way home from launching my Lisbon exhibition “The Power of Femininity”, I was inspired to stop at London’s Atlas Gallery (www.Atlasgallery.com) for a rare exhibition of photographs by the Lillian Bassman (1917-2012). I have studied her work from my photo books for years, this being my first opportunity to see prints live. The Atlas curation was both stunning and impactful; all 27 images.

A prelude to her show on Art Rabbit (artrabbit.com) said it best: “Bassman’s work was significant in emphasizing the power of elegance, mystery, and gesture in fashion. Her prints, developed in high contrast and carefully over-exposed, are abstract, luminous, soft yet captivatingly dramatic”

It took years for me to personally be comfortable with my own favorite images which, in pure technical views, might be considered flawed ( e.g., focus and exposure). I take solace in the fact that Bassman was obviously comfortable with this approach, with captivating results.

Leaving London with visions planted in my brain…

Jul 25

Opening of the 20th anniversary exhibition of Helmut Newton’s SUMO

By tedwitek News & Blog

Show Introduction commentary:

Dr Matthias Harder

Curator, Helmut Newton Foundation Berlin

Opening of the 20th anniversary exhibition of Helmut Newton’s SUMO and return of “Three Boys from Pasadena” ….. (l to r) Just Loomis, Benedikt Taschen, Dr Matthias Harder (Curator at the Helmut Newton Foundation) ….Ted and Matthias…… George Holz, Mark Arbeit, Joachim Rissmann. An exhibition of over 600 photographs including the entire SUMO collection.

Jan 16

North South, East West – Portugal Exhibition

By tedwitek News & Blog

North South, East West

Ted Witek (1957- ) was born and raised in Connecticut. He left the United States for Germany in 2001, moving to Portugal in 2004. He immediately fell in love with the country and its people.

Having the artistic good fortune to travel many times to the North and South of Portugal as well as to Madeira and the Azores, Ted found the country among the most visually stimulating places that he has visited. Whether watching youngsters jumping from all heights in the hot sun into the Douro River, discovering an abandoned mannequin factory in Chiado, awaiting fishermen returning to shore in Sesimbra long before sunrise, or observing the biker celebrants of the Concentração de Motos in Faro, Ted was continuously inspired to capture a visual story.

Learning he would move to Canada in 2008, Ted immediately purchased a home in Azoia at Cabo Espichel where he now keeps a studio.

In 2012, Ted photographed all of beautiful Canada’s provinces for a new series entitled “Canadiana” with first edition prints auctioned for the Herbie Fund Charity at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (SickKids). This series brought him between the world’s longest coastlines, from the east’s land’s end at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia and as far west as Bennett Lake —- only reachable by floatplane over the icefalls and glaciers of Yukon.

Hilda Yasseri, Curator

***

Images from the opening night at Centro Cultural de Cascais, Portugal

Apr 12

Ted Witek Permanent Gallery, Toronto

By ted witek News & Blog

Although I have exhibited my work in many beautiful galleries, I most often enjoy having my photographs available to view in an atypical space with some sense of life remaining after the vernissage wine glasses are put away.

KASPACE is an experience. You can walk in and out, or gaze for hours. It is an atmosphere of appreciation of art, fashion, design and music. Ted Witek Photography, I am proud to say, is a part of this space.

My photography is always on display at KASPACE with a revolving selection of images by curator Hilda Yasseri. Original photographs are available for immediate sale or through special order of original prints from the books and catalogs on display.

KASPACE – 185 Carla Avenue, Toronto

Apr 12

Upcoming Lisbon Presentation

By ted witek News & Blog

This coming November the Cultural Center of Cascais will host the Ted Witek exhibition, North South, East West. Curated by Hilda Yasseri, the images represent a personal sense of place across the Provinces of Canada and up and down the country of Portugal. Sponsored in part by the Canadian Embassy in Portugal, all images are printed from original negatives on silver gelatine fibre by master printer António José Costa in Lisbon.

Stay tuned for more information as the November opening night approaches.

Apr 12

Rebirth

By ted witek News & Blog

At the encouragement of Curator Hilda Yasseri, Ted begins a rebirth of his flower photography initiated with Color printer Carol Fondé in 2000 — with the ever-present inspiration of Georgia O’Keeffe, photographing them so you “ can’t ignore their beauty” and, besides, “they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move.”

Apr 12

When in Paris

By ted witek News & Blog

The Irving Penn centennial was the highlight, finding the images more educational than inspirational ….. stayed in Saint Germain —-not having to go far for all that is Paris….

visited the studio and grave of Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione —— a prominent figure in early photography who might have adored the ‘selfie’ as we know it…. my propensity to dine in rail stations reached its peak at Gare de Lyon’s Le Train Bleu…. the through the door glances at the Dior show before and after dinner at lou lou was stunning….. my driver once referred to me as bobo, explaining the Parisian term of reference for bourgeois-bohème….

Apr 12

Miami

By ted witek News & Blog

Always fun to explore new areas and venues of a city, but when in Miami always find myself back at the Delano South Beach….yes, very white and equally very soothing ….. a short walk to Byblos fine dining in the mold of Toronto’s maiden twin—just more palm trees….. recall recent treat at the Delano was an Art Basel lobby exhibition of Terry O’Neill’s iconic ones…. met Terry in Toronto a few years back at Izzy’s opening—- charming gentlemen…. O’Neills work at Delano include my all-time favourite of Audrey Hepburn (and, yes also Raquel Welch) …. unlike so many photographers with all access to celebrities and not a creative bone in their body, O’Neill gives the true sense of person and place….. all at The Delano!

Jan 26

TED WITEK ART BOOK No.1 – The Lost Studios

By ted witek News & Blog

The first Ted Witek Art Photography Book from a new series published by KA Magazine Group. THE LOST STUDIOS features work from Ted Witek’s Hotel Bogota and Fabrica Manequim series photographed in Berlin and Lisbon. All images have been previously curated by Hilda Yasseri and now edited by Allwood Agency and KA to create a spectacular 32 page soft cover, offset printed, black and white art book. Both series being photographed in spaces that now no longer exist in 2016, and thus are to Ted, his “Lost Studios”.

Book available to purchase at KASPACE – 185 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto

or can be ordered online here.