BODY TALK
WANDA KOOP is one of Canada ’ s most important and inventive contemporary artists , with a career spanning over four decades and more than 50 major solo exhibitions around the world . The Winnipeg artist is known for creating large scaled remarkable paintings . “ I am constantly looking at the world as if it ’ s for the first time ,” she says . Each painting is a part of a collection , a cohesive way of expressing a series of thoughts or ideas .
Artist
BY JOELLE KIDD AND NINA BRYK
THINKING IN THREAD
MAR 3-31
What do a neuroscientist and a craftsperson have in common ? It ’ s not a punchline ; Neurocraft , an exhibit authored by the Manitoba Craft Council explores just that . The pieces on display , all inspired by the brain , are the result of a two year collaboration between nine neuroscientists and craft artists . The resulting work blends accessible media , like fibre art and sculpture , with the complex forms of the brain and intricate ideas behind contemporary scientific research . John Buhler Research Centre Atrium , 715 McDermot Ave , manitobacraft . ca , Map 1 : N-1
BODY TALK
MAR 10-APR 15 Janet Shaw-Russell ’ s series of drawings , prints , and sculpture , entitled Within , without , began with a medical booklet on lung cancer , a sewing pattern , and her graphite pencils . Exploring the body ’ s intricacy and fragility , the resulting juxtapositions at Martha Street Studio prompt the viewer to consider such issues as health , medicine , women ’ s rights , and the plight of garment workers . 11 Martha St , 204‐779‐6253 , Map 1 : N-4
WANDA KOOP is one of Canada ’ s most important and inventive contemporary artists , with a career spanning over four decades and more than 50 major solo exhibitions around the world . The Winnipeg artist is known for creating large scaled remarkable paintings . “ I am constantly looking at the world as if it ’ s for the first time ,” she says . Each painting is a part of a collection , a cohesive way of expressing a series of thoughts or ideas .
Wanda is also well known for her engagement in her community as the founder of Art City . This art centre has brought world-class visual artists and Winnipeg ’ s inner-city youth together to exchange ideas and create projects in a safe and accessible place for nearly 20 years . Guest artists host a variety of free programs that teach all types of art media such as film , photography and ceramics .
Wanda ’ s exhibition VIEW from HERE is a private collection of nine-by-eight foot paintings that blur the line between landscape and portraiture . Floating head silhouettes contain surreal facial expressions created by pieces of rural scenery . The title of each painting and its landscapes were inspired by specific works from her career . Flood Plain , for example , is similar to a painting from the Green Zone ( 2003-2009 ) collection , which was influenced by television coverage of the Iraq War . For Wanda art is inextricably connected to the social and political events happening in the world .
VIEW from HERE will be exhibited at WAG until May 2017 . 300 Memorial Blvd , 204-7896641 , wandakoop . com , Map 1 : P-3
PHOTOS : “ BLOOD CLOTS ” BY DANA KLETKE ; “ THIS FRAGILE DWELLING PLACE ” BY JANET SHAW-RUSSELL , PHOTO BY KEVIN BERTRAM ; WILLIAM EAKIN ( WANDA KOOP )
8 where . ca MARCH / APRIL 2017