Altered Passage explores the role of photographers in creating a national identity for Canada. With William Notman's recent inclusion on a stamp issued by Canada Post, as part of a series of stamps commemorating the work of great Canadian photographers, it proposes his practice as one that is archetypical and representative of what photography in Canada should represent. 


The series alters the stamp, redacting portions of the image to create an aestheticized version of the original, similar to Canada Post's glossing over of the problematic aspects of Notman's practice. The stamp changes into an object that may no longer function with the originally prescribed use value. It can still be used as postage, however it now is a gamble as to if it will be rejected or accepted by the postal workers/machines that receive the altered stamp. If the revised version is accepted, the letter reaches its intended recipient, but if rejected the letters journey fails and is lost amongst the other message that failed to meet their recipients or is returned to the sender.


Altered Passage is an ongoing series that will continue until the limited run of these stamps comes to completion.

Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015
Altered Stamp in Packaging

4" x 5.5"

2015

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Stamps Before Packaging

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp

1" x 1.5"
2015

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp

1" x 1.5"

2015

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp

1" x 1.5"

2015

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp

1" x 1.5" 

2015

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp

1" x 1.5"

2015

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Greg McCarthy
Altered Stamps
William Notman
Altered Passage
2015

Altered Stamp 

1" x 1.5"

2015

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Using Format