Mischa Bartkow is photographer who contributed a piece on the BC Gay and Lesbian Archives for the upcoming Issue 7/8 (The Vancouver Queer History Issue, launching at The Cobalt on November 3rd). Check out more of his photography at his website, and read on to learn more about him.
Sad Mag: Where are you from?
Mischa Bartkow: I was born in Vancouver and grew up here and on the Sunshine Coast. I moved to Ontario when I was 19.
After spending 10 years in Kingston and Toronto it was time to come back to Vancouver. I knew this is where I needed to be to make my dreams come true, where I needed to share my art from. It’s been a pleasure falling back in love with this city.
SM: How did you get into photography?
MB: I’ve been shooting ever since I was a small kid. It’s how I kept in touch with my family across the ocean. I’ve always had a visual and spatial memory and photos have helped me share the way I experience the world. It wasn’t until I was older though and working at an advertising agency, being inspired by other pro photographers, that I realized it was my dream to make photography my living.
MB: There’s one image of dozens of lightbulbs hanging on a stark background that I made in Hong Kong. It has come to symbolize the power of creativity and positive thinking for me. It ended up being selected as a design for a Scotties tissue box, you can see it in stores now. My other favourite is an image I made in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. It’s of a decaying jalopy slowly being swallowed up by vines and the green landscape. I love making images of things most people dismiss as ugly and sharing the beauty that I feel is there. I like blurring the line between ugly and beautiful.
MB: I hope to inspire others to make our communities more caring and progressive.
MB: Elisha Clement, Simon Hayter and Shannyn Higgins.
MB: I’m working on an exciting project as part of the CONTACT Photography Festival that’s coming to Vancouver in October, 2012. I’m planning building sized projections of photography throughout Vancouver. We’ll be showcasing local and international photographers throughout the city.
Sad Mag presents: The Queer Cultural Awards and Show
The Cobalt (917 Main St)
8:00PM-1:00AM
Advance tickets $6, at the door $8
Full details on Facebook.