Quest for Beauty : The Photographic Journey of Malak of Ottawa - Harvey Sawler

Quest for Beauty

The Photographic Journey of Malak of Ottawa

By: Harvey Sawler, Malak Karsh (Photographer, Illustrator)

Paperback | 10 June 2025

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In Quest for Beauty: The Photographic Journey of Malak of Ottawa, Harvey Sawler celebrates the life and work of one of Canada's greatest photographers, Malak Karsh (1915-2021).

Following the Armenian insurrection, the Karsh family emigrated from Turkey to Canada in 1937 and discovered a life filled with colour and beauty in wondrous Canada.

'Malak of Ottawa'-the surname absent to not ride on the coattails of his famous brother Yousef Karsh-spent a lifetime recording aspects of Canadian landscapes, seascapes, cities and daily life through millions of images, with a significant collection held at Library and Archives Canada.

His 60-year legacy of photographic art has defined Canadian identity and iconography. Malak of Ottawa has received the Order of Canada, Master of the Photographs Arts, the Keys to the City of Ottawa, the Whitton Award, and the National Film Board of Canada's Gold Medal. Key to his success was his relentless pursuit of perfection as he captured stunning images of Canadian landscapes and people.

Central to Malak's Canada is Ottawa, where he lived and worked. Inspired by a single image-brilliantly-coloured tulips juxtaposed against the iconic Peace Tower-he conceived, and helped establish, the Canadian Tulip Festival. His work opened the door to an untold volume of floral photography that in part redefined Canada's capital city.

Malak of Ottawa's life and legacy is intertwined with Canada, and this photography book showcases both Malak's inspired vision and a peaceful country's natural beauty.

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