107Shaw has been on my to-profile list for quite some time now. So it seemed only natural to drop by and check out Seth Fluker's recently opened show, "Everyone Needs Standards." Inspired by both the awe and wonder associated with moving from city to city -- in this case from Vancouver to New York to London -- and his fascination with modern and contemporary painting, Fluker's work tends to explore the strange relationship photography shares with abstract painting.

Indeed, the majority of his pieces in the show could be termed abstract, if it wasn't for the fact that they're actually non-manipulated and careful representations of relatively common objects. What gives off the air abstraction are the strange angles and perspectives from which Fluker shoots his subjects. It strikes me that, though difficult to categorize, the resulting images tell a not altogether opaque story of exploration and operate as a visual metaphor for the mix of thoughts and emotions that accompany beginning life in a new city.

In addition to taking in Fluker's show, I got a chance to chat with Daniel Fazio, co-founder of 107Shaw. Taking the ground floor of his and his partner's home in the West Queen West neighbourhood, the gallery is an intimate space that hosts a variety of events in addition to contemporary art exhibitions.

See my profile of 107Shaw in the galleries section.