GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Mar 1, 2015) - Library and Archives Canada

On the 100th anniversary of the birth of acclaimed Canadian photographer Malak (OC, MPA), Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant amount of the artist's photographic archives.

The recent acquisition includes approximately 200,000 photographic transparencies and negatives, ca. 1968-2001, as well as 13 exhibition prints and textual records. This constitutes a significant addition to the Malak (1915-2001) fonds held by LAC.

LAC will work to make these holdings available through its website as they become digitized.

Quick Facts

• Malak's portrayal of Canada's geographical and cultural diversity has been very influential in shaping how Canadians view their own country and its visual identity.

• Malak's images have been used on at least 11 Canadian stamps, and his iconic photograph of the log drive below Parliament Hill appeared on the $1 note (1974-1989).

• Malak was a recipient of the Key to the City of Ottawa, and played a major role in the creation of the Canadian Tulip Festival.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to have acquired this important part of our Canadian heritage. Library and Archives Canada's acquisitions continue to document the rich diversity of Canadian society. The 100^th anniversary of the birth of acclaimed Canadian photographer Malak gives us an opportunity to reflect on his contributions and to appreciate our geographic and cultural diversity."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Photography is an integral and invaluable part of our documentary heritage. It serves as a record-providing not only a repository of information and knowledge, but also portraying a wide range of emotions-which gives it a broad and comprehensive relevance. Library and Archives Canada will preserve the images of the Malak Karsh fonds in optimal conditions and will digitize them to enable all Canadians to discover them on our digital platforms."

- Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada-Library and Archives Canada

"Our family is very pleased that the Malak fonds at LAC will now constitute a far-reaching and unique photographic record of the beauty of Canada, its landscape and its people, and their activities, seen through the lens of an Armenian immigrant who truly loved his adopted country. It was a pleasure working with the dedicated staff of Library and Archives Canada and we are very excited that Malak's legacy will be conserved and made available for Canadians to enjoy."