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Arresting Images – Mug Shots from the OPP Museum
Once upon a crime...
Opening Reception: Saturday January 9, 2010 at 1:00pm
Curator’s Walk & Talk: Thursday January 21, 2010 & Thursday February 18, 2010 at 7:00pm
Launched in May of 2009, Arresting Images is continuing its travels across the province, and Canada. Arresting Images will be making its next stop at Station Gallery, opening on Saturday January 9, 2010 and continuing until Sunday February 21, 2010.
Arresting Images features 100 historic mug shots from The OPP Museum’s permanent collection, dating from 1886 to 1908. The exhibition provides a first and rare opportunity for the public to view these historical photographic portraits since they were originally collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection was assembled by the Niagara Falls “Ontario Police” - precursors of today’s Ontario Provincial Police.
Arresting Images highlights historical themes and social circumstances of the period addressing the subjects of crime and law enforcement as well as the emerging use of photographic portraits as a police identification tool.
Represented in the collection are pickpockets, confidence men, escaped fugitives, shoplifters, horse thieves, burglars, safe blowers and others. These images are compelling, fascinating and thought-provoking.
Arresting Images is The OPP Museum’s inaugural travelling exhibition. In October of 2009 it received an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Museum Association for its innovative approach, exhibition design and curatorial quality.
For more information about Arresting Images and The OPP Museum visit www.opp.ca/museum.
Yourspace Community Gallery: Janos Gardonyi
January 9 – February 21, 2010
Curator’s Walk & Talk: Thursday January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm
Janos Gardonyi, B.Arch. (Hons.) OAA(Ret.) MRAIC is a retired Architect and Photographer of Hungarian origin. He came to Canada in 1957 and completed his education at the University of Toronto. His photographs include landscapes, townscapes, architectural and historical photography and many images collected during his extensive foreign travels. He also creates digital artwork and abstract images.
Lobby Display Case: Erika Takacs
January 9 – February 21, 2010
Curator’s Walk & Talk: Thursday January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm
Erika Takacs arrived to Canada from Transylvania (Romania) as a young woman. She recalls spending time in her uncle’s woodcarving studio; making a strong impression on her as a child. After taking pottery and handbuilding classes at George Brown College and the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, she began a sculptural practice of her own. Her main interest is papier maché but she also works in clay and mixed media. She writes: "My elongated figures allow me the freedom to explore human gestures and complex emotions through exaggeration. I enjoy re-telling or putting a new twist on old stories and myths. There is a narrative behind every piece that allows different interpretations."