Jack A. Gilbert LLB, LLM, QC, Retired lawyer,
Entrepreneur and Photographer

History

My father, Nathan Gilbert was a professional photographer beginning his career in Toronto in 1922 after arriving from Kiev, Russia. My father taught my brothers and I how to retouch negatives and inspired in us a love of creating images and set before us a high standard of excellence. My brother, Al Gilbert, CM, has continued in the photographic field and is recognized nationally and internationally for his unique portrait style. He is often called the Ambassador of Canadian Photography. His list of credits are almost endless. Al has been voted Canada's Photographer of the Year on several occasions. He holds a Canadian Master of Photographic Arts degree as well as its Fellowship. In addition, he has earned the Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsmen degrees and the Fellowship from The Professional Photographers of America. He is a member of the Order of Canada, holds the Confederate Medal of Canada, and in 1994 was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Photographic Industry of America, and the International Award from the American Society of Photographers. In 2003, Al was the first recipient of the Yousuf Karsh Memorial award from the Professional Photographers of Canada. He is a popular guest speaker, prized teacher and lecturer around the world.

Little About Me!
Jack A. Gilbert LLB, LLM, QC, Retired lawyer, Entrepreneur and Photographer

I, however, took a different route and became a lawyer with a law practice principally in the securities, corporate and business fields. I retired from an active practice in November 1994. I maintained my Toronto office and continue to be involved in many entrepreneurial pursuits. At the same time I enjoy an active and growing interest in photography.

With the advent of the digital world and digital camera, I decided to create a serious photographic portfolio. This effort has been pursued with the use of a digital camera, a computer and principally, employing a software program called Photoshop. I feel I bring to this process my unique photographic background because of the initial influence of my father and in following the incredible success of my brother's career.

My subject matter has been far ranging and eclectic, from the wild animals in Africa, ruins in Burma to the delicate trillium in the woods near our country home in Mulmur Township, Ontario.

Most of my works are abstracted conceptual compositions that are as much about imagination as reality. I shoot a great deal of raw material - images that do not stand alone as a photographic subject but may contribute colour, texture or a small object that may spark my imagination when it is integrated into a larger composition. I save all these possible "components" on my computer.

An intuitive design process begins as I experiment with composing and otherwise manipulating these various components. As Picasso once said "I believe in inspiration, but I hope that it catches me when I'm working." I explore different combinations of the colours, textures, patterns and forms that I find appealing. Through a juxtaposition of objects with organic or structural forms and by altering the scale of various objects relative to other elements, I seek to create a personal interpretation of form, light and colour.

I had my first show in May of 2003. Click here "Jack's Exhibition at Robert Mede Gallery". The June issue of Artfocus Magazine wrote in part "Photo artist Jack Gilbert stunned the artworld when he sold 68 handprinted digital photos.". I participated in my second show in May of 2004 at the Carrier Gallery in Toronto. Click here "Carrier Gallery Exhibition 2004" to view some of the works that were displayed  or click here to view all my works.

My wife, Ina, is a well known artist, whose recent efforts have been to create extraordinary fine art on her computer. Visit her web site at: art4today.com. Two of my daughters are graduates of the Ontario College of Art, while the third is working as a graphic designer and web designer. Visit her web site.

Anyone interested in collecting, viewing photographs or commissioning new work is invited to contact me at:
E-mail: jackgilbert@photographybyjackgilbert.com
or phone: (416) 777-1588