Quest for Beauty: The Photographic Journey of Malak of Ottawa

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

In Quest for Beauty: The Photographic Journey of Malak of Ottawa, Harvey Sawler celebrates the life and work of one of Canada's greatest photographers, Malak Karsh (1915-2021).

Following the Armenian insurrection, the Karsh family emigrated from Turkey to Canada in 1937 and discovered a life filled with colour and beauty in wondrous Canada.

'Malak of Ottawa'-the surname absent to not ride on the coattails of his famous brother Yousef Karsh-spent a lifetime recording aspects of Canadian landscapes, seascapes, cities and daily life through millions of images, with a significant collection held at Library and Archives Canada.

His 60-year legacy of photographic art has defined Canadian identity and iconography. Malak of Ottawa has received the Order of Canada, Master of the Photographs Arts, the Keys to the City of Ottawa, the Whitton Award, and the National Film Board of Canada's Gold Medal. Key to his success was his relentless pursuit of perfection as he captured stunning images of Canadian landscapes and people.

Central to Malak's Canada is Ottawa, where he lived and worked. Inspired by a single image-brilliantly-coloured tulips juxtaposed against the iconic Peace Tower-he conceived, and helped establish, the Canadian Tulip Festival. His work opened the door to an untold volume of floral photography that in part redefined Canada's capital city.

Malak of Ottawa's life and legacy is intertwined with Canada, and this photography book showcases both Malak's inspired vision and a peaceful country's natural beauty.

Author Bio

Harvey Sawler has written 18 fiction and non-fiction books, covering the spectrum from celebrity, business, and crime to travel and entertainment. He is the former director of marketing and public relations for the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and, in 2014, authored the Centre's 50th anniversary commemorative book, The Centre for All Canadians-Five Decades of Inspiration and Excellence. Over 51 years, he has written hundreds of articles and stories for newspapers, magazines, and digital media forms, and he is a leading Canadian tourism consultant. He lives in Bellevue Cove, Prince Edward Island, with his partner, Charlotte Stewart.He lives in Bellevue Cove, Prince Edward Island, with his partner, Charlotte Stewart.