Winner of the 2010 Red Bull Illume Image Quest Chris Burkard has been invited to join the Megapixel exhibition in Shawinigan, Canada. The young surf photographer’s “Perfect Day” shot placed first in the Red Bull Illume’s illumination category before it was finally voted the overall winner of the competition.
The Megapixel Exhibition is a new event that will exhibit the work of local and international photographers. The opening year’s chosen theme is sport, inspired by the number of sporting competitions taking place both in Quebec and around the world this year. The unique aspect of this exhibition is that it will take place in more than one location and it aims at presenting unusual and striking photographs in unlikely locations around the city.
Ten exhibitions holding more than 120 photographs will be positioned in locations such as parks, galleries and commercial spaces. Chris Burkard’s ‘Waterworld’ exhibition will be presented in an old industrial space and his photographs will be printed in a large size (six by four feet), and suspended from the ceiling. The “Perfect day” photograph will be presented on a light box, an inspiration from the Red Bull Illume Exhibition Tour.
Megapixel organiser, Violaine Héon, was thrilled about Burkard participating in the event. “We want to present some extremes, pictures that can ‘shake’ people. Chris Burkard presents something really new, because we don’t have this surfing culture here in Quebec. We don’t surf! And his photos are presenting not only courageous and talented surfers, but also the magnificent landscape around them.”
Despite being just 24 years of age, Burkard has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become an established surf photographer. He also works as a freelance writer for Surfer Magazine, surfline.com and Water Magazine, and the future is certainly bright for the surf enthusiast. Following the Red Bull Illume Image Quest competition, it is fantastic to see that his incredible photography continues to inspire the world.
The Megapixel exhibition will run from October 7 to October 16 in Shawinigan, Quebec. All the exhibitions are free, with activities and master classes scheduled during the big launch event on the opening day. The exhibition will be a tribute to sports photography, so for all Red Bull Illume fans in Canada, be sure to support this creative new initiative!