Laura Jane Petelko • Denmark
Laura Jane Petelko
Galleri Nijenkamp
PhototropiC, MA, And Endless Gone
Phototropic, is a series inspired by the idea of phototropism: the process whereby living organisms are naturally drawn to search out the light. Phototropic is an evolution born out of our primal instinct to be at one with nature. To submerge into water and to reach for the sun as charged fresh botanical life. To reemerge and discover ourselves. These images are abstracted during the photographic process, using various organic elements to remove information, leaving the sense of coming in and out of dreams.
Ma is a Japanese concept of negative space that relates to all aspects of life. Rather than an absence, the gap in perception allows for diffuse thought. The interval created, whether in the mind or the physical realm, is a regenerative pause. Within this space, a break in the composition of our active minds can exist, deepening our awareness of what is around us. This series was photographed during the pandemic lockdowns. Collaborating with dancers from the National Ballet of Canada, Choreographers, and other artists, who were unable to perform at the time.
Endless Gone is an ongoing series of large-scale photographs meant to explore memory and mood from a sensory perspective. Inspired by the beauty and poetry we create when we evoke our past. With details undefined and unassigned to time or place. What is left is the essence, the light, color, and feeling that we carry with us. At a time when photography began its obsession with megapixels and resolution, Petelko was pulled in another direction. In search of that sacred space where the viewer collaborates with the work to create a truly intimate interpretation.
“To leave a beautiful mark from the unknown place and of our solitary but collective worlds in transformation.”
Artist Bio
Laura Jane Petelko is a Canadian photographer and full-time artist, known for her emotive and painterly approach to photography.
Having completed 7 solo exhibitions, Laura Jane's work often employs a painterly approach to photography, which is produced in camera to selectively reduce information and enhance the elemental and evoke the emotional aspects of the work.
Her 2022 series Phototropic is a natural evolution from her previous series, MA , which was photographed during the pandemic lockdowns in collaboration with dancers from the National Ballet Of Canada.
Phototropic explores emergence. The beauty and struggle of all life to seek the light, to grow and become new. This work combines the human and botanical forms in a playful way. Using three colour variations to create varying emotional resonance.
Her work is represented by Cavalier Galleries, The Christopher Hill Gallery, and the Virgil Catherine Gallery in the US. Her pieces are collected throughout Canada, The US, and Europe.
She has been featured in Park Magazine, The Art Newspaper, Vie Des Artes, Adbusters, A&M music, DoubleDay Press, Anansi Press and Western Living.
