Brian Dedora talking about his exhibition
On the evening of May 19, 2022, Feheley Fine Arts celebrated Brian Dedora’s seminal exhibition Read this Foto, showcased in conjunction with the annual Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.
An intimate group of guests were in attendance, including close friends of the artist and the gallery. Vibrantly-coloured calla lilies placed throughout the gallery sat in contrast to Dedora’s black-and-white photographs.
The main event of the evening involved the hand-gilding of martinis–vodka or gin, shaken or stirred–with delicate sheets of gold leaf. Guests were invited to select their choice of olive–Spanish queen or mammoth Greek–which, when pulled from the glass, became gilded as well. Working as a master gilder and framer for many, many years, the opulent drinks are a tradition Dedora knows well.
The exhibition of black-and-white photographs seamlessly combines Dedora’s photographic eye with his aptitude for narrative and wordplay. His work famously invites humor to exist alongside puzzlement and resolution. Fittingly, Dedora gave a captivating presentation of his show, causing guests to laugh and contemplate the meaning of various conceptual processes behind each work.
Hand-gilded martinis
Writing since 1977, Dedora has a way with words that is not only apparent in his written work, but also when spoken aloud, surrounded by close friends.
The evening was a joyful one, celebrating the culmination of many years of work by the artist, photographer, writer, and gilder par excellence.
About the Artist
Brian Dedora is a master gilder, artist, photographer, and writer. He has been writing since 1977 and has published extensively. Dedora’s book, A Slice of Voice at the Edge of Hearing (2008), was a finalist for the Relit Award and the George Ryga Prize. His titles A Few Sharp Sticks (2011); Lot 351 (2013); and Eye Where (2014), a book of his visual work from the 70s and 80s, followed, each published by Mercury Press & Teksteditions in Toronto. Dedora’s titles have been published around the world including Lorcation (2015, Editorial Visor, Madrid/BookThug, Toronto); Paper Poems (2021, Red Fox Press, Ireland); and Polaroid Poems (2022, Paper View Press, Portugal).
Originally from Vernon, B.C., Dedora is currently based in Toronto where he continues to write and hone his skills in film photography with his vintage cameras: Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, and Leica.