Rem Skolney-Everson
altered photography, the mystery of liminal space, and astonishing detail
About Rem Skolney-Everson
About Rem Skolney-Everson
Rem Skolney seeks to reveal the hidden beauty and intrigue of the world around him. “I’ve always had a way of seeing things others often miss. I use photography to share those moments. I love how a simple photo of something everyone passes by every day can bring so much joy and wonder. Is that just another photo of a flower? Or is it a grand stage set in vibrant yellow with our actors—a tiny fly and a tiny spider—poised to deliver the opening libretto of an epic opera?” he says.
Much of Rem’s art presents the vistas and hidden spaces of Denman Island—oceanscapes, landscapes, forests, cafes, the ferry terminal late at night, the iconic Pickles Road bridge, the General Store—often devoid of people. As well, his photos often feature flowers and plants, sometimes in extreme close-up.
Rem also creates altered photography, using editing software and AI. The results range from colourful semi-abstracts to stylized, deliberately pixelated imagery to works that look like traditional paintings.
“When modifying a photo, I’m often trying to create a feeling like from some vivid dream you’d almost forgotten,” he says. “You’re welcome to imagine a deafening silence broken only by the twilight zone theme song blaring out of some rusty old army siren miles off in the distance if that helps.”
Rem’s interest in altered photography started when he was a teenager and discovered he could hack video game graphics. This involves extracting the graphics, altering them, and putting them back into the game. This left him with digital skills and a curiosity about the ways imagery can be revised and enhanced.
See Rem’s work on Denman: Look for Rem’s work in local galleries, at his Farmers Market booth, or the Denman Island Craft Fair.