The work of one of Alberta’s finest photographers, George Webber, is being shown throughout town as part of the latest travelling exhibit from Alberta Foundation of the Arts for 2009.

Born in Drumheller, Webber grew up in Calgary. His photographs demonstrate his fascination and affection for the people and landscape of Western Canada.

“My concern is one of photography’s most fundamental, the impulse to seize and arrest what is passing away,” said Webber. “This desire seems to be felt most keenly when dealing with an aspect of one’s own history and culture. In the prairies, all that is human is ephemeral.”

His work has not gone unnoticed. In 1999 he was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Webber’s photographs have been featured in a variety of magazines, including Canadian Geographic, and can also be found throughout the world in various museum collections, including the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Australian National Gallery.

For Marianne Garrah, who is bringing the exhibit to town, the photographs are simply fascinating.

“It’s all about the evolution of life and the Canadian prairies,” she said, “such as old drive-in theatres that have become derelict.”

Garrah has placed 11 of Webber’s photographs throughout Jasper. They can be found at the Activity Centre, the Library and at Tekarra Color Lab.
The photographs are from Webber’s Alberta Colour 1978-2001 Portfolio and will be up around town until Nov. 24.