Protection.| Photo by David Young.

An established photographer who focuses on the concept of Zen, David Young is a contributing artist in the current District Foyer Gallery exhibition, alongside artist Frances Solar.

Young’s love of nature was enforced by a childhood spent in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where he was influenced by his surroundings. Since obtaining his first camera at the age of 12, Young has been expanding his artistic eye for colours within natural elements, compositions and textures.

The allure of the everyday

Looking for beauty and meaning in everyday life, Young focuses on the concept of Zen in his photography. The artist has been a Zen Buddhist for many years.

“Zen is a religion of everyday life, based upon the belief that meaning and beauty can be found in ordinary events and surroundings,” he says.

While the majority of photographers tend to look for dramatic and piercing shots (such as action shots), Young focuses on everyday subjects that may be overlooked: reflections, driftwood, rock faces and arbutus bark .

Determination.| Photo by David Young.

“I like these subjects because every time I take a walk near our home, new photographic opportunities present themselves,” says Young.

The photographer draws much of his inspiration from aspects of everyday life. He gives the example of rocks, boulders, caves and driftwood washed up on the beach. Young explains how these things can look different depending upon the amount of light, whether something is wet or dry, or the various types of reflections that occur as a result of wind or light on the water’s surface.

“If one looks closely enough, an uprooted tree can be a natural gallery with a variety of interesting areas. Often these areas may be no more than several inches in diameter, but when framed by a camera, they can have abstract painterly qualities that are quite beautiful.”

To make an impact on people and the way they view the world through his work is an important goal for the artist. People frequently ask Young what he is doing when taking a close-up photo of a tree or rock.

“After I explain, they say that they would never have noticed such a small area of beauty and that henceforth they will look more closely at their surroundings,” says Young.

“In this way, the ‘unnoticed’ world around us blossoms to reveal the beauty of nature, enhanced by the artistic eye,” adds Young.

The North Shore is the best place you could choose to exhibit artwork with a Zen theme. Young sees this venue as appropriate for his work’s purpose.

“My photographs will be seen by ordinary people going about the business of everyday life rather than by those who go to galleries to see professional art,” explains Young.

Young believes that beauty and meaning can be found in mundane activities and surroundings, which fits with his Zen philosophy.

The takeaway

David Young, photographer.| Photo courtesy of David Young.

Young has a positive expectation and outlook on the potential audience response to his work.

“It will give me encouragement to find new ways to exhibit my photographs and to make my philosophy known to a wider audience,” says Young.

Ultimately, Young hopes to inspire others through his photographs to see the ordinary in an extraordinary way. And he hopes his audience will be stimulated to look more closely at ordinary objects in their environments.

This year’s District Foyer Gallery exhibition takes place from Nov. 4, 2015 to Jan. 5, 2016 at the North Vancouver District Hall.

For more information, please visit www.nvartscouncil.ca