Stephen Bulger Gallery presents Scenes From Labrador, a solo exhibition that invites us into the vast and intimate world of Eldred Allen, an Inuk photographer whose work reflects the heartbeat of the land he calls home. His captivating images offer a rare glimpse into Labrador’s wild beauty and cultural richness. This exhibition marks a significant milestone in Allen’s journey as an artist, as it is his first solo show beyond the borders of Newfoundland and Labrador, extending his narrative into new territories.
Eldred Allen, Mine, May 2, 2020, pigment print on archival paper, 30 x 40 inches © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
For Allen, photography was not initially an art form but a practical tool. In 2018, driven by the needs of his business, he purchased his first camera. What began as a simple means to support his work with drones soon became an unexpected journey of discovery and self-expression. “I didn’t know anything about cameras or photography at the time,” Allen recalls, yet with his camera in hand, he immersed himself in the craft, teaching himself the intricacies of light, composition, and exposure. His passion grew quickly—what was once a tool became a means of telling the story of his life, of his family, and of his land. Through this self-taught exploration, Allen found not only an eye for photography but a deeper connection to his environment and culture as well.
Eldred Allen, Framed, 2021, pigment print on archival paper, 24 x 18 inches © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
The works featured in Scenes From Labrador are as varied as the landscape they capture. From sweeping aerial views, where the land stretches endlessly beneath the eye of a drone, to the grounded intimacy of black-and-white portraits of his community, Allen’s photography is filled with the breadth of his world. Each photograph, whether of a tranquil snowmobile ride through the vast Northern terrain or a quiet family moment, carries the weight of personal significance. “A lot of times it’s instinctual,” he shares as he outlines his approach. “I might see a certain composition or light that is really interesting… and it just catches my eye for whatever reason.” His images become vessels for memory, places where the mundane is transformed into something extraordinary—a snapshot of life, love, and heritage.
Eldred Allen, Tickle, August 23, 2024, pigment print on archival paper, 37½ x 50 inches © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery.
It is in these quiet moments of daily existence, captured through his lens, that Allen’s true artistic voice emerges. His photography does not only reflect the beauty of Labrador’s landscapes; it honours its people and culture. Documenting the traditions of Inuit life and capturing the landscapes that define the region’s identity has become the heartbeat of his practice. Allen’s work also invites us into the intimate world of his family, connecting us to the deeply personal nature of his work. He said, “It’s me documenting our way of life—fishing, going around on snowmobiles, Inuit culture.”
Eldred Allen, Childhood, June 26, 2021, pigment print on archival paper flush mounted to Sintra, © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
The exhibition itself is a celebration of not just Allen’s technical skill but also his deep-rooted connection to his community. As a self-taught photographer, his journey is one of constant evolution. “I’m still learning,” he humbly admits. Yet, it is precisely this ongoing learning, this commitment to continual growth, that makes his work so profoundly moving. It speaks of a place and a people—of landscapes that stretch from the icy waters of the sea to the endless sky above—and yet it also speaks of something deeper: a commitment to preserving those memories, ensuring that the stories of his culture and his family are not lost to time.
Eldred Allen, Broken Road, 2021, pigment print on archival paper. 37½ x 50 inches © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
Indeed, Allen’s photography is a window into more than just a physical place. It is a window into the soul of Labrador, into the shared experiences of a community bound by land and heritage. His images are not just photographs—they are stories. They are legacies. His work reflects the landscape of Labrador, but it also the internal terrain of a man in dialogue with the world around him, constantly seeking to understand, to document, and to share. As he explains, “What I enjoy is sharing the images that I create, but I also want people from where I’m from to see them as beautiful as well” Through his lens, he reminds us of the profound beauty in our own backyards, the untold stories hidden in the ordinary, and the power of art to reignite wonder.
Eldred Allen, Star Gazing, August 7, 2022, pigment print on archival paper, 28½ x 38 inches © Eldred / courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
Allen’s Scenes From Labrador challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of the North, to notice the details we often overlook, and to engage with the world through a new lens. It is a call to pause and reflect, to feel something more deeply about the landscapes that shape us. His work teaches us that photography is not just about capturing what we see—it is about capturing what we feel, what we experience, and what we hold dear. For Allen, photography has become a tool not just for recording the world, but for helping others see it as he does—with wonder, with reverence, and with love.
Yehyun Lee
*Exhibition information: Eldred Allen, Scenes From Labrador, January 11 – February 22, 2025, Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1356 Dundas Street West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Gallery hours: Tue – Sat 11am – 6 pm.