Elizabeth Lojewski: minus the background
By Paul Breschuk
Lance Writer
January 28, 2009
 The LeBel gallery hosts Elizabeth Lojewski’s “Minus the Background,” a collection of digital photography printed on canvas, until Jan. 30.
As the title suggests, each piece presents an object before a solid white plane. They are mostly found objects, things of an everyday nature that have made an indescribable impression on the artist: phonebook pages, Barbie dolls, articles of clothing, an American dollar bill.
Without a typical background and the distractive information that comes with it, Lojewski’s images appear with crispness and immediacy.
Their colours and edges are made all the more vibrant from the simple whiteness that surrounds them. This effect causes the subjects to float within the canvas, without a foundational surface to stand on or hang from.
These objects also float off the canvas, appearing strikingly real, as their surrounding whiteness becomes indistinguishable from the gallery wall.
“By taking each object out of its normal context and placing it on a solid white background, the viewer is forced to focus on the image being presented and the emphasis of each detail,” explained the artist.
“Aesthetically, I feel that white backgrounds work well in a gallery setting and project the subject to its fullest. As for the shadows, I try to take advantage of them in order to create depth and dimension on the canvas,” she continued.
Lojewski describes the creation of the photographs in what proves to be a deliberate, methodical process: “Each piece starts off with a general idea, which begins the visual thought process. Since I mainly focus on one element at a time, I try to collect objects that I feel exert character, as well as a certain aesthetic appeal (colour, texture, shape). I do a great deal of preparation prior to taking any photos in order to obtain the best visual results. Preparation such as proper lighting, location, and positioning of the object, reduces the need for digital alterations.”
Lojewski’s works give off an unassuming playfulness, devoid of malice or cynicism.
Absent is the typical, jaded undercurrents of anti-materialism. Instead, the subjects are allowed to exist as they are, plucked from their ordinary places in our lives as things unworthy of deeper consideration. They are now presented neatly, without context, in a position that allows the viewer to admire their charming simplicity.
Her work is not completely without challenge, however, as certain pieces urge the viewer to carefully study their details.
While Lojewski wanted to represent the objects in a clear, realistic manner, she couldn’t resist the creation of subtle anomalies via Photoshop.
One example of this can be found in a photograph of goldfish swimming inside nine Ziploc bags arranged in a grid. After careful inspection, it becomes clear that the grid is comprised of the same bag of goldfish, repeated, capturing its swimming contents at different moments in time.
Photographs such as the duplicated goldfish are evidence of the creativity and thoughtfulness that lie behind each work.
Visually pleasing, inviting, and humorous, the works of “Minus the Background” can be seen at the LeBel Gallery (Huron Church and College) from Jan. 26 – 30, with the closing reception taking place Friday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m.
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