Quick Pick — Ray Van Nes at Willock and Sax Gallery

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Ray Van Nes, “Huang Shan #2,” 2017, platinum/palladium print, 4.75" x 11.5" (courtesy of Willock and Sax Gallery)

Artist Ray Van Nes hand-coats his photo paper with platinum, meaning you can actually see the brush marks on his photos. The result is a bit magical, rare and fascinating, a sort of cross between photography and painting.

His collection, near and far, can be seen now at Willock & Sax Gallery in Banff until Sept. 15. 

“Unlike silver print processes, platinum lies on the paper surface, while silver lies in a gelatin or albumen emulsion that coats the paper. As a result, the final platinum image is absolutely matte, with a deposit of platinum (and/or palladium, its sister element,” according to the gallery notes.

Van Nes has been taking photos for more than 30 years. His work has been shown at the Royal Alberta Museum and the Art Gallery of Calgary, and a recent work is part of the City of Calgary’s Billboards Project and the Civic Art Collection. ■

Ray Van Nes, near and far, is on view now at Willock & Sax Gallery in Banff

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