ILLUMINATION, FRANCIS A. WILLEY 

The Collectors’ Gallery of Art, February 6 – February 28
Hours: see cgoart.com 

This exhibition, Illumination, is a celebration of three decades of dedication and love for the art of photography. 

As the first photographer represented by The Collectors’ Gallery of Art, Francis A. Willey brings a unique traditional practice that incorporates romantic lighting and Pictorialist aesthetics in each of his fine art photographic prints, captured on 35mm film. 

Francis A Willey is an internationally awarded and published artist, whose work is part of collections and galleries worldwide. The Alberta-born artist has been working in the photographic medium for over 3 decades and is known best for his signature lighting that takes painterly form. Francis's work has been recognized and compared to the early masters such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz, and Emmanuel Radinsky. 

“I have no words, upon seeing blindness”- Alexander McQueen (Fashion Designer) 

“I like how your head works” - Douglas Kirkland (Photographer)

"Francis, I might not know from where the cold wind blows, but I know what I like and I dig your work. You can take that to the bank on your way mental baby! Don't go, don't go yet, it's wonderful stuff." - Christopher Walken (American actor, dancer, director, screenwriter, and playwright)

"It's truly beautiful and legitimizes photography as an art. With all the trashy "fashion photography” floating around and unexciting commercial stuff that I do on a regular basis for magazines and print, I've forgotten why I even like to be photographed at all. Your work has just reminded me that it's because once in a great while there's a chance to be part of the creation of an image like yours, where a woman's body or face can be sexy in a softer, subtle way rather than so harshly presented as an object. So thanks." - Christine Donlon (Actress and Writer) 

“Francis is one of my favorite contemporary photographers. His lovely, ethereal, but also very real images show us the magic and mystery can be found in our modern world. We just need to know where to look.” - Dr. Theodora Goss (Senior Lecturer at Boston University. MFA/Ph.D. Boston University.) 

Access: Location is wheelchair accessible
Child Friendly

The Collectors’ Gallery of Art, 1332 9th Ave S.E. Calgary AB T2G 0T3