September 30, 2004 -

Portraits by V. Tony Hauser and prose by inspirational Canadians

Ottawa -- CIBC today announced its sponsorship of the “Power of the Passion” exhibit, on view at the National Arts Centre until October 30. Seeking to pay tribute to Canadians who make a difference to our lives, photographer V. Tony Hauser has photographed sixty personalities who are icons of inspiration for him. From a wide selection of artists, social activists, scientists and others, he invited individuals to reveal themselves not only in sessions before his camera but also in words.

What many of the participants in Hauser’s project have in common is their passion for wanting to give back to society.  Such as pianist Anton Kuerti, who not only is one of the world’s great interpreters of Beethoven’s music but also a passionate advocate for world peace. Or scientist David Suzuki, who ardently reminds us of our environment’s fragility, or Dr. Tak Mak, who is making great advances in the search for a cure for cancer.

Hauser has compiled a cross section of people who have touched him personally. Each portrait is accompanied by a written passage that expresses in the words of the sitter what he or she considers to be their driving force. “The texts are as important a component of the exhibition as the portraits themselves,” said Hauser. “They complete the essence of the person in the photograph.”

The primarily large format 4 x 5 negatives are printed manually onto archival 20 by 24 inch sheets of silver gelatin paper in the traditional photographic fashion. Hauser considers silver prints — like platinum prints — to be among the most permanent photographic renditions of his craft.

“The Power of Passion” exhibition continues at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa until October 30, 2004. A tour of other Canadian cities will be announced upon completion of the tour schedule.

In 2003, the CIBC group of companies contributed more than $48 million worldwide, including over $25 million in Canada, to support hundreds of national, regional and local organizations in communities across the country.

For more information please contact:
Nadine Lunt, National Arts Centre,
613-947-7000, ext. 560, or

Mary Harrison, CIBC,
416-861-7655