archival inkjet on photo paper mounted on acrylic, 30 x 42 in, 2019.
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King Studio Photos, October 12 – November 9, at MKG 127, Toronto
“King Studio Photos is a series of portraits of Black burlesque dancers from 1960-69. The portraits were shot at the now-defunct King Photo Studio, in Vancouver, BC. The studio passed hands and changed names several times until its closure in 1981. The 4×5 b&w Kodak negatives Bowen is working with are professional photos of dancers Abbey Petite, Sheila, Montika, as well as musician Frank Struthers. As with most of Bowen’s autoethnographic work, these images are connected to family in that Bowen’s maternal grandmother cared for Montika’s children when she worked.”
Deanna Bowen would like the acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council.