Calgarian Sandi Greene believes in fairies, and finds them everywhere
in her world.
A visual artist and photographer, Greene has gathered her evidence on
fairies' existence into the charming photo-essay book Seeing
Evangeline (Bayeux Arts, $39.95).
Most of her images are found in the foliage of winter gardens , but
she also sees spirits in water fountains and coffee cups. Just in case
you don't share her vision, she provides line drawings of the images she
perceives at the back of the book.
Is this idea a tough sell? I don't think so.
Every gardener knows a world that is teeming with life. In the
winter, it seems to quiet down and rest, but with the the first warm
days , it begins once again to fly and crawl.
To my way of thinking, science does little to dispel the notion of
magic.
For every dark corner on which it sheds light, there is another one
still in shadows.
As we navigate through life, it seems to me we are bombarded with
evidence of parallel universes. Every day we meet creatures that live
beside us, but in separate worlds and with rules of their own. Think of
snowshoe hares, squirrels and coyotes. They make a living even in the
centre of a city, a decidedly human universe.
Some of our favourite literature --- from Tolkien to Rowling ---- is
based on magical worlds. From lighting a scented candle to climbing a mountain
for spiritual renewal, language and pop culture are littered with with
references of magical moments.
Those who aren't into magic, and who resist the wonder of the world,
can still still enjoy Greene's lovely images of gardens in repose. She
invites readers to share their encounters with the fairy realm on her
website (seeingevangeline.com) There she poses the question: Is seeing
really believing or is it the other way around?
Mid winter is indeed a wonderland when seen through the eyes and
camera of Calgary artist Sandi Greene. Her extravagant black and white
and colour photographs, filled with wonderful, whimsical images of
Calgary's frozen gardens offer a surprising perspective on what goes on
in your garden in those months when you may not be looking.
As Sandi Greene was walking home one day in 1996., she happened upon
a garden of cauliflower that had been left in the ground over winter.
Seeing in it the shapes of faeries, she went home to fetch her camera
and returned to the garden to photograph them. That was the beginning of
a journey that would lead her in 2004 to begin production of her
beautiful photography book , Seeing Evangeline , filled with magical
images of the sprites and faeries that Greene has found in the most
unexpected places. Each image has been named in the book by Greene, and
each has a story. This delightful coffee table book is currently
available through amazon.com.
