Drawing from a postcard photograph by Banff photographer Byron Harmon, this work reconfigures an image of rail travel as a meditation on how energy is communicated, normalized, and carried across distance. By collapsing the postcard’s image and message into a single surface, the artwork folds industrial power into everyday life.

Postmarked January 5, 1944, the brief note— “On my way to Kingston, will write later”—reduces vast infrastructure and fossil-fuel dependency to a casual update, echoing the logic of contemporary image sharing.Black smoke pours from the engine as it moves between sheer rock walls and the rushing Kicking Horse River, balancing natural grandeur with mechanical force. The frontal perspective compresses distance, placing the viewer directly in the path of motion, energy, and sound.

Sent a short distance from Calgary to Cochrane, the card conveys industrial power into a passing remark about travel, like a digital text message and a photo taken by phone would do today.

Each one of Peter Tertzakian's artworks from this series comes framed, with D-rings and hanging wires for easy installation. Additionally, each piece from this series comes with a reproduction of the postcard of inspiration securely placed on the back of the work alongside the label text about the work. For additional information or to inquire about our installation services email [email protected].

*Please note that all works over 30” will not be available for shipping.