During the holidays I stopped in at a used book store and came across a wonderful photography book by Canadian artist, Roloff Beny. ‘To Every Thing There is a Season: Roloff Beny in Canada’ is a photographic essay exploring Canada during the 1960’s. The book contains poems, landscapes, portraits, architecture, and graphic design that is visionary for the time it was printed. Like a Boards of Canada album, the book puts my mind in a cozy, nostalgic place.
A little research reveals that the book was the official Canadian gift to visiting heads of state during the country’s 1967 centennial year. He’s also authored a number of other acclaimed photography books I’m hoping to pick-up in the near future.
Beny’s work is included in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. In 1971, he was made an officer of The Order of Canada. In 1984, at the age of 60, Beny passed away from a heart attack in his Roman studio overlooking the Tiber.
You can view a more complete set of photos in this FLICKR SET I put together.
Posted by: Owen Perry | Instagram: @circa_1983
These are really great. Do you know if there’s any more of his work online?
Josh,
Man… I wish.
I searched far and wide and I can’t find anything more than a post about his book on India… enjoy: http://wineandbowties.com/art/india-1969-photography-by-roloff-beny/
He was my great uncle 🙂
That’s awesome Nelle. Pretty storied man from what I gather.
I plan to do some more features on him in the future.
Best,
O
Lovit. Gotta get my hands on one of these books!
Managed to pick this up second hand for £3 on Amazon, great recommendation!
just found a copy in sally ann!