Toronto's Izzy Gallery Presents Famed American Photographer Michael Dweck

TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2011 /CNW/ - Toronto's Izzy Gallery is pleased to present MICHAEL DWECK: ISLAND LIFE, a retrospective of famed American photographer MICHAEL DWECK's work in a three-week exhibit this fall. The acclaimed artist's photographs have become part of important international art collections and shown in major solo gallery exhibitions around the world, in addition to being featured in Vanity Fair, Playboy, Esquire, French Vogue, Details, and The New York Times, amongst others. Dweck will be on hand during the opening reception, November 17th from 7-9 pm.

The MICHAEL DWECK: ISLAND LIFE exhibition coincides with the international release of Dweck's third and latest book HABANA LIBRE (Damiani editore, $72). In addition to the Canadian debut of photographs from HABANA LIBRE, rare iconic photos from his previous works will be featured including "Sonya Poles" and "Dave and Pam in their Caddy" from THE END: MONTAUK N.Y. (2004) and a selection from MERMAIDS (2008).

"This exhibition marries the underlying theme of all my work, the idea of seduction and its pleasures, with my 'islander' spirit formed in part by my time spent on Long Island, New York," says Artist Michael Dweck.

"We are very honoured to present Michael Dweck's work for the first time in Canada," said Izzy Gallery owner Izzy Sulejmani, "Michael is, deservedly, one of the more provocative visual artists of our time and this is an especially exciting opportunity to view the depth and versatility of his collection."

HABANA LIBRE is an island intrigue, playing on the theme of privilege in a classless society, beauty and art in one of the last communist capitals. It is an insider's exploration of one close knit group of friends - the creative elite - living the charmed life in Cuba. The elegance and intimacy of this social world and the identities of some of the players adds to the mischief, given that this is happening in Castro's Cuba.

Dweck's first series, THE END: MONTAUK N.Y., inspired from his teenage years spent by the beach on Long Island, sold out it its first two weeks, a rarity for a photography book. It portrays the old fishing community of Montauk and its surfing subculture. It is an evocation of a real-world paradise lost: of summer, youth, and erotic possibility; of community and camaraderie in a special place apart - an American version of the Arcadian vision.

MERMAIDS (2008) also has its origins on Long Island, where Dweck often went night fishing along the South Shore and off Montauk. On moonlit nights he was intrigued by the shadowy shapes of fish passing swiftly by just under the surface, and imagined those fleeting forms to be beautiful women -the ancient allure of the mermaid.

Michael Dweck's photographs were first showcased at Sotheby's, New York, in 2003, in the auction house's first solo exhibition for a living photographer. His work is shown at high-profile galleries worldwide including: Staley-Wise Gallery in New York, Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles, Eric Franck Fine Art in London, Maruani & Noirhomme Gallery in Belgium, Robert Morat Galerie in Hamburg and Blitz Tokyo.
www.michaeldweck.com and www.habanablibrebook.com

Izzy Gallery, established in 2008, is a contemporary gallery with a focus on photography representing Canadian and International artists. Works by Lillian Bassman, John Swannel, Albert Watson, Raul Higuera, Harry Benson, Bert Stern, and more are available at Izzy Gallery.  www.izzygallery.com

MICHAEL DWECK: ISLAND LIFE
November 17 to December 10, 2011
Izzy Gallery
106 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto, ON M5R 1B9