Photography exhibit at arts centre

The images are stark, linear, with each photograph evoking both happy memories and soul-stirring moments. “The photos in this exhibition are in a sense a family album, containing portraits of three generations in different situations,” explained Gabor Szilasi, whose work will be showcased at the Visual Arts Centre’s McClure Gallery beginning Oct. 9. “It starts in 1964 when my wife was pregnant with our daughter, and continues until the present day. Ninety-five per cent of the photos in this exhibit have never been seen before. Some are humorous; I tried to avoid being too shmaltzy,” he said, adding, “I use photography as a means of personal expression.” The long-time Westmount resident is an accomplished and prolific photographer, with over 30 solo and about 50 group exhibitions to his credit, among them prior shows at the Victoria Ave. arts centre. Szilasi has had many expositions in rural Quebec and in Montreal, including a retrospective at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1997. The upcoming show is on a bigger scale, with roughly 35 black and white photos going on display. “I’ve also traveled a lot and have had my work shown in Italy, France, and Hungary. But if I don’t speak the language and am unable to communicate, I won’t exhibit,” said Szilasi, who taught photography for 40 years at CEGEP du Vieux Montreal and in the Fine Arts Department of Concordia University. His preferred subject matter is portraiture, wherein he depicts “people in their own environment and different cultures. My work has been influenced by realist cinema and literature; my photographs are more of a social documentary,” he said. “As well, I like to photograph street scenes, urban landscape, and architecture. I have nearly 150 shots alone of the commercial architecture along Ste. Catherine St.” “After this show, I’ll begin working on a large retrospective that will be held in Joliette next May in collaboration with the national gallery in Ottawa. Later it will tour with about 20 exhibitions, including one in Montreal at the McCord Museum in 2010 or 2011,” Szilasi said. The vernissage for the show at the McClure Gallery will be Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The exhibit continues until Nov. 1. A booklet which has been put together will offer visitors an added glimpse of the artist and his inspiration. For more information, call 514-488-9558.