Kevin J Mellis Msw, Mfa

Artist Statement: I began creating photographs as an art form after graduating from the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts Digital Photography Programme in March 2012. I have since shifted my photographic practice from a digital to an analog process using a traditional large format view camera. My motivation came from a profound need to connect more deeply to the process and to my subjects. My artistic intention is to create images that evoke a deep sense of emotionality and timeless sensibility. My work is heavily influenced by my concurrent profession as a medical social worker on the critical care team at Foothills Hospital. I work directly with individuals and their families who often find themselves in crises stemming from sudden and unexpected illnesses and physical traumas (car accidents, shootings, and stabbings). Sadly, such incidences often lead to severe injury or death. I support each family member through such life changing moments. In the time that I have been a member of the critical care team (since 2007), I have been a witness to thousands of deaths and have been honoured to walk with these families on their painful journeys. In addition to my work as a medical social worker, I also draw considerable artistic influence from great master photographers, such as Sally Mann, Nan Goldin, and Keith Carter, all of whom create works that are deeply personal and introspective. We now live in a time when everything around us is moving so quickly that many people miss or overlook the importance of being 'present' for the people and things around us. As an artist, I seek to create images that engage the viewer and to offer time and space for reflection, contemplation, and solitude.
Social Link - Linkedin: http://www. linkedin.com/company /alberta-industrial-photography
Employee Count: 1
Keywords: photography