Where We Stand
“Where We stand,” is a show about giving voice to often-marginalized members of society. This is a showcase of work done by Anna Gaby-Trotz, Boyle Street Community Services’ artist in residence, and artists at Boyle Street. It highlights the strength and fragility found in the people who make Boyle Street Community Services a true “community” centre.
This was a project that developed out of a six month artist in residence at Boyle Street Community Services. It is worth mentioning that this building no longer exists in it's long standing location due to gentrification of the downtown area around Boyle Street.
The difference between “taking” a photograph and photographing a person is huge. I would like to thank every community member who came out to celebrate their community and chose to participate in this project.
The title of each of these photographs is a six-word biography that each person was asked to write after being photographed. The biographies give the subjects in these images the chance to shape how the viewer sees them. All participants in this project were aware that this work would be exhibited in a gallery space. These are not anonymous portraits of the unhoused or staff who work at Boyle Street. They are portraits of people who are survivors. They are portraits of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends. These are portraits of some of the strongest people I have ever met. They are photographs taken from the margins of society in the hopes that viewers will see themselves reflected in these portraits.
I am most grateful to Boyle Street Community Services for allowing me to make this work. I am also thankful to the Edmonton Arts Council for the support they gave. Finally, I would like to thank Marika Chandler for her help gathering the six work biographies.
