Exhibition Dates: May 11 - June 15, 2002
This exhibition constitutes the first solo show in Toronto by Aspen-based photographer Chris Rainier. Through his images documenting sacred cultures and rituals of indigenous peoples, Rainier examines the language of symbols that are repeated throughout the planet. From the American Southwest to New Guinea, in South America, Africa or British Columbia, these symbols are expressed through totems, masks, tattoos and scarification. They are also to be found in ancient burial caves and on canyon walls, springing to life through the everyday as well as traditional ceremonies.
Named by American Photo magazine as one of the 100 most influential people working in photography today, Rainier is the recipient of five National Press Association Picture of the Year Awards for his continuing documentation of vanishing tribes; a Communication Arts award for his book on New Guinea; the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award in 1998 for photography of the Sahara Desert; and an International Golden Light Award in 1994 for his first book Keepers of the Spirit.
Rainier’s photographs from Papua New Guinea were recently on exhibit in the Explorers’ Hall of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. His work has also been shown at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York; the International Center of Photography in New York City; the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles; the Australian Museum in Sydney; Bibliothèque National in Paris; the United Nations; the Friends of Photography in Carmel, California; the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston; the Chicago Cultural Center; and the Houston Museum of Science.
In celebration of the Day of Indigenous People, an exhibition of “Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea” will be on display at The United Nations, New York, NY, from August 9 - September 30.
An upcoming book entitled Ancient Marks is scheduled for release by The National Geographic in the fall of 2002. It documents tribal tattooing and body markings around the globe, showing markings from ancient as well as contemporary cultures. His other books are Keepers of the Spirit and Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea.
