INFOCUS EXHIBITION
- February 3 – March 28, 2020
- Host venue: The Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel
- 4236 36th Street East, Edmonton International Airport T9E 0V4 Canada
Artsy Mondays
This is truly a fun time of year when we pause and think about what lies ahead in January and in 2020!
For me, I’m anticipating InFocus Photo Exhibit & Awards, which is coming up in February and runs all that month and also all of March (see below for the event invite)!
InFocus is an annual photography exhibition that I started with my husband, Aaron. 2020 will be our SIXTH exhibit! That feels like a lovely accomplishment.
THE MISSION OF INFOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION & AWARDS IS TO PROMOTE & EXHIBIT INNOVATIVE, THOUGHTFUL AND PROVOCATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY CREATED BY CANADIAN CONTEMPORARY IMAGE-MAKERS.
In an era in my province – Alberta – where arts funding is being cut, I am immensely proud to be creating opportunities for artists, photographers, sculptors, designers, etc. to show their creative work and have a platform.
I do this through InFocus Photo, and also through my work as Curator-in-Residence at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel and Curator at the Multicultural Heritage Centre in Stony Plain.
The government may control a good chunk of arts funding, but it does not control the urge in creatives to make art, nor the desire to share that work with others. We artists are our own masters, gatekeepers, promoters, and funders. We are the magic makers and we can never forget that.
I am excited to bring a new collection of photographs together in InFocus Photo Exhibit 2020. The theme is “Change,” which is fitting as we live in a ever-shifting political and environmental age. With Greta Thunberg named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2019 and the American election and the ongoing Trump saga, “Change” is just the right theme for 2020.
InFocus Photographer Features
Over the next few months, I will be featuring InFocus 2020 Photographers here, on Artsy Mondays!
Today, I have the privilege of introducing:
Liam Mackenzie!
This is Liam’s second year selected for InFocus. In 2019, Liam was the recipient of the NAIT Award for Photographic Excellence.
Photographer Interview
Liam Mackenzie
© Liam Mackenzie
When did you know you wanted to be a photographer?
I’ve always been a visual and artistic person so the transition to the photographic world just happened naturally. I think I started to hone into photography when I was going through artist’s social media platforms as a teenager and going, “I really identify with these images, I wonder if I could create a similar feeling?”
© Liam Mackenzie
Who are the photographers and artists that have had the greatest influence on you and why?
Ryan Pfluger, Tyler Mitchell, and Ally Schmaling are my all time favourite photographers. For artists of other mediums, Grimes (musical artist), Charli XCX (musical artist), Milk (drag artist), Hattie Stewart (graphic artist), and Keith Haring (painter) are some of my biggest absolute favourite sources of inspiration. Their methods of creation are so electric and I really resonate with that mindset and energy.
© Liam Mackenzie
What is the inspiration behind your photographs?
There’s two constant underlying inspiration/motivation aspects that drives my photography.
1: Is this next level?
2. How can I f*** it up even more?
What was the most unique person or place you’ve photographed?
I think my most interesting shoot would be photographing a drag artist on the LRT. Some of the looks we were getting were funny. Never a dull moment on the LRT.
© Liam Mackenzie
What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?
Mess up and learn from that. Allow yourself to make mistakes and have fun. Simple as that.
If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?
I’ve always been interested in controlling plants, like Poison Ivy from the DC universe. However, shapeshifting would be my pick.
© Liam Mackenzie
Where is your favorite travel destination?
I loved Tokyo when I visited for its gentle electric feeling and I loved Italy for it’s food.
When you’re not photographing, what are your favorite hobbies?
I’m always listening to music and learning about music, along with painting and fashion.
© Liam Mackenzie
What do you most enjoy about being a part of InFocus Photo?
The various interpretations of a vague theme. It’s really refreshing to see how a different artist might view “Change” and hearing how people explain and describe their work is always an imitate thing.
Where can people find you online?
Instagram: @liammackenziephoto Website: www.liammackenzie.com
© Liam Mackenzie
You’re invited!
Attend & Submit
InFocus Photo Exhibit & Awards 2020 has dates you should add to your calendar!
OPENING RECEPTION PARTY
- “Wine Wednesday,” February 5, 2020, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
- Curator Talk & Awards presentation: 7:30 pm
- Music with DJ Mintu
- 40% off bottles of wine at the Renaissance Hotel
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
- Saturday, February 8, 2020, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
- In the corridor behind HALO Bar at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel
- Speed-dating-style portfolio review sessions with notable professional photographers, gallery curators, magazine editors, and more.
We have an exciting line-up of photography awards to share, as well as our new round of photography portfolio reviews. Stay tuned in the coming days for more details.
As the new Curator at the Multicultural Heritage Centre, I am thrilled to welcome artists to this call for submissions below:
Attention Artists!
Open Calls for art in all its forms.
Submission details. Click here.
Stay tuned for all my “calls for submissions” for artwork.
Subscribe to my e-newsletter to have these opportunities sent right to you.
Here are some InFocus Photo social graphics I’d love you to help me share.
Click on the images below to save and post on your favorite social media sites.
