Through the Rush depicts a dichotomous view of public everyday life by local photographer Mike Lennon. This installation is a collection of 40 photographs divided into two parts: 13 colour prints framed on the gallery wall and 27 black and white translucent vinyl prints installed on the enclosing glass. These documentary-style photographs were taken on the street in the heart of downtown Kelowna from October 2020–August 2022.
How Lennon creates his work mirrors the classic method of candid street photography. Throughout history, capturing public life in this way has produced some of the most influential and widely reproduced images of all time. These iconic photos and the method of capturing them has steadily fueled Lennon's work to capture life at its most delicate and raw. While there is an acknowledgement between photographer and subject that their images are being taken, there is an understanding that Lennon is on the peripheral. As an observer, Lennon engages his subjects but is careful not to disturb the moment in time he aims to capture.
The two sets of photos contrast each other in printed material, visual aesthetic, and conceptual content. Thus, forcing viewers to examine the work closely and (literally) from different angles to see clearly. The work attempts to act as a vehicle for self-reflection, contemplating how we live our lives in the present moment and where happiness lies.
Through The Rush will be on view in the Members’ Gallery from January 27 to February 18, 2023.
Mike Lennon is a street & documentary-style photographer based in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Since 2018 his work has focused on capturing candid portraits, serendipitous everyday moments, and landscapes all within the downtown core. Photographing on film and digital, he works to create striking and intriguing images that document his fascination with public everyday life. For more about Mike and his work, visit mikelennon.myportfolio.com or his Instagram.