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Hamilton Arts & Letters
I became aware of the van Gemerden’s when I attended the first Native Indian and Inuit Photographers Association (NIIPA) conference in Hamilton, in 1985. The idea for the conference came out of what was then known as the Photo Union. I was there as a volunteer working in the kitchen. It was the beginning for me and I was honing my skills as an artist. I didn’t yet feel qualified to have my work hanging on the walls with other photographers who had reached a sense of themselves in their work. After the conference was over and everyone had left for the day I wandered around the hall and looked at the photos hanging on the walls. I was excited and happy to see the work of real photographers on display.
Later that spring NIIPA became an independent entity. With the help of grant funding, NIIPA opened an office where I was employed on contract for one year. The Native Indian and Inuit Photographers Association had basic intentions: to provide a showcase for the photographic work of NIIPA members through public exhibitions, to organise workshops led by professional photographers throughout the year, and to present a conference annually.
Cees van Gemerden was one of the workshop leaders. He had immense knowledge about cameras, the darkroom, lighting, and the history of photography. He was always willing to give lessons and share what he knew with anyone who was interested. Annerie’s photographic work also showed a precision of imagery that could only be from her perspective.
[Distillate © HA&L + Shelley Niro {from the Greek bios} -- the course of a life.]
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