CAG Artist Ken Solilo - The Colborne Art Gallery

ken SOLILO

Website: kensolilophotography.com

ARTIST STATEMENT

Capturing that unique moment or one image is everything to me in my photographic work. When I look at a scene my eye is trained like a camera lens where I am able to pick out a portion of that scene. Part of my inspiration is how the light and colours transform a landscape. An image I see through the viewfinder and captured with my camera can be shared with others to replicate a feeling or trigger a memory. Photography is my form of expression and allows me to share with others the light and shadows that create the beautiful images that surround us.

BIOGRAPHY

I first learned about photography from my Dad when I was about 8 years old. Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan when it was too cold in the bitter prairie winters to go on the outdoor rink or on the street for some pickup hockey I would take over the laundry room and convert it into a darkroom. There I learned to develop negatives and make photographic prints. The hobby inspired me to go to Ryerson University in Toronto to take the Photo Arts course. I majored in Cinematography turning a hobby into a career that spanned over 40 years.

I started at CFTO in Toronto in 1972 as a film editor. Later I moved into the position of a cinematographer which was the direction I wanted. In 1976 a position opened up with the CBC in Calgary and I spent the next 8 years working there. About this time the technology was changing and film was being replaced by video tape and a cinematographer became a videographer. In 1984 the CBC was increasing its coverage in Southern Saskatchewan and I moved back to Regina for the next 7 years. In the early 90’s the CBC experienced budget shifts which resulted in station closures and in 1991 I moved to Toronto, working for the CBC for the next 20 years. I worked on many CBC shows including ‘The National News’, local news programs, ‘Living In Toronto’, ‘Sports Journal’, ‘Hot Type’, ‘ On the Arts’ and many features which were included in other programming. Even though the body of the camera has changed there are still lenses to use and a viewfinder to look through to compose the shot.

Retiring from the CBC at the end of 2011 and still with a keen interest in the art of Photography I started my own business based in Port Hope, Ontario. Over those 40 years I had the opportunity to work with some excellent people who had the same passion as me. It was always a learning experience and every day seemed to be different.