Those who think the Saskatchewan is flat and boring might want to catch the latest photography exhibit “Badlands: A Geography of Metaphors”. The Shurniak Art Gallery in Assiniboia hosted an opening of the photography exhibit on October 29 that included a slide presentation by the author and a reception. Photographer and painter Ken Dalgarno from Moose Jaw had attended the opening reception..
Visitors had a chance to meet Dalgarno, view his photograph exhibit and get their book signed. The exhibit and presentation included photographs based on Dalgarno’s book of the same name “Badlands: A Geography of Metaphors”. The exhibit, presentation and book effectively depict all the majesty and vastness of this part of the Prairie landscape.
The exhibit includes 20 large photographs from many sites in both the Canadian and American Badlands. Dalgarno visited places such as the Killdeer Badlands, Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Montana, North Dakota and Alberta.
The photographs were printed on aluminum that sharpened the detail and added a glossy finish. Many of the prints were named after books like Talisman and This Side of Paradise. Dalgarno also included one of his paintings in the exhibit that used his signature thick coatings of paint.
During the slide presentation, Dalgarno explained the background to each of the shots, detailing the site where it was located, the time needed to capture the shot and its historical or geographical significance.
He explained his care in capturing the precise lighting and waiting long hours for the right early or late day shots. The presentation included many photographs that did not get included into the book, such as his black and white compositions. Dalgarno’s favourites include capturing buttes in the snowstorm, concretions and a set of three rock outcroppings south of Estevan.
Gallery visitors came away with an appreciation of the great efforts needed to plan for and capture each shot. Dalgarno and his family did plenty of traveling and hiking to locate the subjects. He used many intriguing photography techniques, such as light painting, that captured the beauty and grandeur of the Badlands in all seasons. While the coulees and buttes were his main subject focus, the photographs also highlighted the dynamic prairie sky with full sunsets, sunlight streaming through clouds and rolling cloud formations. This exhibit showcased the magnificence and timelessness of the Badlands. The artists’ goal of his book and exhibit were to bring awareness to audiences about thus under-explored and underappreciated region of the province.
