The Jack of Spades illustrates a man in work clothes and rubber boots, digging a hole in a tangled field by the light of a kerosenelantern. The encroaching darkness and shadows seem to feed on the light, like a cancerous growth. The impenetrable black creates a sense of claustrophobia, and the overall tone of the image is one of foreboding and secrecy. Modern playing cards have their origin in the Tarot deck used commonly today for the purpose of fortune telling. The tarot equivalent of the “Jack Of Spades” conveys a message of caution in fortune-telling, and is also indicative of spying and secret information, thus reinforcing the element of secrecy in the image. The significant titles of these two images furthers the concept towards the series’ identity. The Fraternity Of The Lantern is indicative of a set; a duo, fraternal twins in exceptionally different moods, yet similar situations. It is a brotherhood denoting stark similarities together with strong differences. The series portrays a sense of duality and opposition: summer versus winter; earth versus sky; study verses labour.
Geoffrey Mattie originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He then moved to Montréal, Québec, in 1999 to obtain formal training in conceptual art photography. In 2005, he received his BFA with a major in photography from Concordia University. He also received an artistic development grant from DuMaurier Arts Council, and has been featured in several exhibitions within the Montréal area. He currently lives and works in Montréal.
