Toronto effects and animation house Calibre Digital Pictures is showing off a selection of matte paintings and sculptures by members of its matte department.

Apparently, F/X shops in markets such as England are expected to exhibit often, but in these parts, it’s a newer concept. Entitled ‘Digital Realms,’ the show is taking place at the Illuminary Art Gallery in downtown Toronto until June 7.

The exhibit showcases work by Calibre artists Mark Fordham (head of the matte division), Andrew Nguyen, Matthew Schofield and Allan Walker, all of whom have fine art backgrounds. The show balances works in traditional media including pencil, oil, bronze and photography with those created digitally. In this sense, the display breaks down elements later combined in the computer to form a finished matte painting. The four artists mastered composition and lighting techniques before ever sitting down with animation and F/X software.

The show also reveals the disparate tastes of its creators. Included are images of dinosaurs, a painting by Walker that recalls a wide-screen still from the pre-historic sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey, a sculpture of a boneyard, World War II era images, reworked family photos from Schofield, and still-life studies from Fordham. It’s a safe bet that Nguyen played Dungeons & Dragons at some point, with some of his 2D work preoccupied with a fantasy-based skeletal creature. There is also a matte painting of Dutch Harlem lit in the Vermeer style that looks ready for inclusion in a feature film.

In other Calibre news, the shop recently announced the appointment of Gerry Legros VP, head of production. Legros has been with the studio for four years as compositor and then senior visual effects producer. His prior experience includes training as a compositing assistant at DAVE (now Manta DSP), six years at DOME Productions as supervisor of the central equipment room, video tape operator at Magnetic North and floor director/cameraman for Citytv. In his new role, Legros will oversee the flow of all productions in the studio and [play] a leadership role in the management of the company. *

-www.calibredigital.com