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Canadian Artists Exhibits Alberta

Impressive list of Canadian Artists Exhibits in Alberta

What does it mean to be Canadian? To celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial year (150th anniversary of confederation), the Gallery@501 in Alberta, Canada presented an impressive list of Canadian Artists Exhibits in Alberta that explore what it means to be Canadian featuring artworks by: Diana Thorneycroft, Joe Fafard, Dr. Roberta Bondar and Brandy Saturley.

Canadian Artists Exhibits Alberta

‘Canadianisms’ by Brandy Saturley opening at Gallery @501

I am honoured to be included with this group of iconic Canadian artists, as my retrospective exhibition, ‘Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada – by Brandy Saturley’ kicked off this celebratory exhibition year at Strathcona County Gallery @501.  Beginning with ‘Canadianisms’ in January, the 2800SqFt museum level, public gallery played host to some of the most well known Canadian Artists expressing a variety of views about Canada, through their artwork.

O Canada (I’m Sorry) by Diana Thorneycroft

Following ‘Canadianisms’ in February was the work of Winnipeg visual artist, Diana Thorneycroft. O Canada (I’m Sorry) featured selections of two bodies of work: Group of Seven Awkward Moments and A People’s History. The works found in the series Group of Seven Awkward Moments investigates the relationship between the Canadian landscape and national identity. A People’s History explores examples of Canadian society that exemplify the word “awkward”. In the words of Thorneycroft, “Canadian history is full of awkward moments and that is more of a reality than this heroic landscape that the Group of Seven portrayed.” The summer solo exhibition featured another Winnipeg artist and celebrated Canadian sculptor, Joe Fafard. Internationally renowned, Joe Fafard is one of Canada’s most recognized and prolific artists. Retailles offered an insight into Fafard’s exploration of the laser-cut process featuring laser-cut and welded metal sculptures along with embossed and woodcut prints.

Canadian Artists Exhibits Alberta

Joe Fafard: Retailles

With more than 20,000 visitors annually the gallery has quickly developed a formidable presence, equal to the Art Gallery of Alberta, thanks to the vision of chief curator and director, Brenda Barry Byrne and her team of seasoned arts professionals.

On November 10, 2017, the final show of the season opens and I wish I had time to hop on a jet plane and cruise into gallery for the opening of Dr. Roberta Bondar’s solo exhibiton, ‘Light in the Land – the Nature of Canada. “The photographic portraits of land and seas in this exhibition are artistic interpretations of the unique and important landscape that is Canada. Appropriate in Canada’s sesquicentennial year, these images present extraordinary landscapes across the country, encouraging a love and respect for the natural environment in its complexity. The collection is a consistent view of one artist, Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first woman in space, exploring the varied landscape in the singular light that is Canada.

Enhancing the sesquicentennial celebrations, Gallery@501 in partnership with the Strathcona Wilderness Centre will be exhibiting the winning photographs from the 2013-2016 Summer Camp Bondar Challenge. Winning entries from the national Camp Bondar Challenge include three winners from the Strathcona Wilderness Centre Summer Camp.”

From ‘awkward moments’ as visualized by Diana Thorneycroft, to the Retailles of Joe Fafard, from the spectacular photographs of Canada and the nature that surrounds by Dr. Roberta Bondar, to the tongue-in-cheek narratives of my ‘Canadianisms’, this year has been a year to take pause and reflect on who we are, and where we want to go as a country. Happy Birthday Canada! See you with a new perspective in 2018.

 

Canada150 Art Exhibitions

Canada150 Art Exhibitions: ‘CANADIANISMS’ opens at Okotoks Art Gallery

Originally published June 15, 2017

Calgary Artist Gordon Milne with Victoria Artist Brandy Saturley at the opening of Saturley's 'Canadianisms' at Okotoks Art Gallery, June 2017. | photo: Penny Rogers

Calgary Artist Gordon Milne with Victoria Artist Brandy Saturley at the opening of Saturley’s ‘Canadianisms’ at Okotoks Art Gallery, June 2017. | photo: Penny Rogers

A celebratory and intimate art opening at Okotoks Art Gallery on June 9. Housed inside an old CP Railway station, CANADIANISMS brought a patriotic and vibrant vibe to the main gallery just in time for Canada150 celebrations. A big thank you to the town of Okotoks and Okotoks Culture and Heritage, as well as the gallery staff for producing a spirited event. This past weekend also included an unveiling of the Canada150 Community Mosaic and the OAG members show inspired by the railway, From Cow-Catcher to Caboose.

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 - Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada at  Okotoks Art Gallery at The Station | June 10 – Sept 2, 2017 | Brandy Saturley

 

With Okotoks Culture & Heritage Manager, Allan Boss and Okotoks artist Annette Resler

With Okotoks Culture & Heritage Manager, Allan Boss and Okotoks artist Annette Resler

 

People of Canada Portrait Project

Talking about ‘Canadianisms’ and ‘The People of Canada Portrait Project’ with SHAW TV

Originally published June 29, 2017

On this Canada Day 2017, the 150th anniversary of confederation and the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montreal, I am mindful of all those peoples who have come before us. All those who have shaped and fought for the country we call home, and all those that cared for the land before our forefathers arrived. I am proud to be a Canadian and my hopes for Canada are high as we continue to learn about, and love one another. I am thankful for all of you reading this Blog, and all of you who have supported my work over the years. The People of Canada Portrait Project celebrates my feelings of gratitude for you.

I am also thankful to all those who have submitted photos to the ‘People of Canada Portrait Project’ – the project is in full swing and I have many more paintings to create and stories to share. Last week I spoke with SHAW Community Producer, Kathleen Burton, about the project and the inspiration behind the project. Here is the interview, currently airing on SHAW Community Producers segments on SHAW TV. Enjoy and Happy Canada Day!

People of Canada Portrait Project – A crowd-sourced and collaborative journey between an award-winning Canadian painter and you. Launched during Canada’s Sesquicentennial in 2017, this project continues to unfold. Focusing on the people that make Canada a diverse and culturally rich country. From our cities to our oceans, from our mountains to our lakes, from our homes to our havens. Here are some fascinating People of Canada.

People of Canada Portrait Project

Canadian Art Junkie Feature

Canadian Art Junkie shines a light on 150 Canadian Artists for Canada 150

Originally published June 29, 2017

A favourite Canadian Art Blog, ‘Canadian Art Junkie’ has been shining a light on Canadian Artists this year, and I am happy to be included in this iconic list of creators. Featuring a curated serving of the visual arts from Canada and around the world. With her 150 Canadian Artists for Canada150 feature, the ‘Art Junkie’ is bringing light to a diverse group of prolific artists in the Great White North, these are significant Canadian Artists you should know. “For five years Saturley sussed out the icons and settings that make us Canadian.  Her works are on exhibition in Canadianisms, at Okotoks Gallery near Calgary through Sept. 2.” – read the full article here.

Canadian Art Junkie Feature

Canadian Art Junkie – 30/150 Canadian Symbols – Brandy Saturley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spanning a decade, these Canadian pop art paintings by Canadian Visual Artist Brandy Saturley create an open dialogue of what it means to be Canadian. They are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness. From public galleries in BC, Alberta and Ontario, to public and private art collections across Canada, these paintings of Victoria born painter Brandy Saturley, have garnered the artist notoriety as “The Voice of Canadian Pop Art”. Begun in 2010, the year of the Vancouver Olympic Games, with painting a goal tenders mask on the Canadian flag, Saturley began exploring the collective Canadian consciousness in her paintings. Coining the term #ICONICCANUCK, the title of the first public gallery exhibition produced by the artist. Creating a distinctive style enjoyed by Canadian art collectors worldwide. You will find polar bears, red canoes, the Canadian flag, beer, wildlife, and iconic landscapes. Distinctly Canadian Art, rendered in a pop art style with elements of realism and modernism.