Gallery 44 Database
of Contemporary Canadian Photography

Exhibitions: Jack of Spades

Exhibition Name: Jack of Spades
From: Jan 5, 2008
To: Feb 2, 2008
Gallery Space: Vitrines
Artists: Geoffrey Mattie
Description: The Jack Of Spades illustrates a man in work clothes and rubber boots, digging a hole in a tangled field


by the light of a kerosene lantern. The encroaching darkness and shadows seem to feed on the light, like


a cancerous growth. The impenetrable black creates a sense of claustrophobia, and the overall tone of


the image is one of foreboding and secrecy. Modern playing cards have their origin in the Tarot deck used


commonly today for the purpose of fortune telling. The Tarot equivalent of the “Jack Of Spades” conveys a


message of caution in fortune telling, and is also indicative of spying and secret information, thus reinforcing


the element of secrecy in the image. The significant titles of these images furthers the concept towards the


series’ identity. The Fraternity Of The Lantern is indicative of a set; a duo, fraternal twins in exceptionally


different moods, yet similar situations. It is a brotherhood denoting stark similarities together with strong


differences. The series portrays a sense of duality and opposition: summer versus winter; earth versus sky;


study verses labour.


Media & Techniques:

approaches:

staged

themes:

identity/self
existential
ritual
conflict

This database record last modified: Thu, Feb 7, 2008