ARTISTS' BIOGRAPHY

Richard Manilla and Scott Garant were born one day apart in 1968 in two different cities. Thirty years later they met and it was this meeting that lead to the development of a symbiotic relationship that is evident in the visual art that they produce collaboratively throughout their travels. Both were creative throughout their youths, pursuing various artistic expressions, which they bring to their photography. Scott has a background in photojournalism and has studied photography at various colleges in Ontario. Richard's training was in graphic design where he utilized various mediums to produce his work. Together their creative energy and collaboration is fuelled by their respective backgrounds, including painting. They met in college while pursuing another form of creative expression, American Sign Language.

Both artists believe that art should encourage people to make connections to the art itself and to each other. They have organized and/or entered their works in auctions for various community groups including Sick Kids Hospital, Fife House and to support the arts in elementary education. Richard and Scott along with the Upper Gallery created a silent auction, gathering the works of various professional artists, to support the Dorothy Ley Hospice's Art Therapy program.

Art shows in Milton, the Beaches and in the Greater Toronto Area have showcased their work. Their work is featured in private and public collections in Canada and the United States of America and as far away as New Zealand. They continue to exhibit their art while using it as a vehicle for building and encouraging community.

ARTISTS' STATEMENT

Photography, in its essence, is the art of capturing light to create images. Like the origin of the word “photography” based on the Greek words phos ("light"), and graphis ("paintbrush”), these images incorporate that essence of photography using the camera to paint with light. Each of these images capture the elusiveness of colour and movement of light reflected on water creating textured images that resonate. While the dynamic of light on water is elusive, the continuous and ever-changing movement is captured in these still images which fuse the elements of painting with photography creating unique images.

We enjoy being near water wherever we travel, capturing the dynamic nature of images produced on water depending upon the natural or urban environments that surround us. We think of photography as a visual art that is to be a shared journey between artist and viewer. Each of our images are chosen and created collaboratively to begin that shared journey. We choose and create images that captivate us, allowing for contemplation and reflection, inviting the viewer along on our journey. When images resonate within us, we are compelled to capture and share that emotional resonance – our own sense of wonderment and awe – with the viewer. We hope to engage the viewer's senses, making them think and feel. We are inspired by painting and try to capture this essence in our photographic work using vibrant colours to create a dynamic on the photographic canvas. This dynamic is then shared with the viewer, creating a response, which adds to the shared journey. We hope to capture our viewers with the resonance and vibrancy of each piece of art that we create so that it resonates with them.

Scott Garant & Richard Manilla