art eXhiBits
sLeePLess night
B y k aitL in Vitt
Artist Spotlight
LUTHER POKRANT was interested in art from a young age, though he didn’ t know if he’ d make a career of it. after earning fine arts degrees in Winnipeg and albuquerque, he returned to his home province, working at the Bay and eaton’ s as a display artist. " i’ ve always been doing art, but the other things kind of interfered with it,” he says. " it was hard making a living as an artist— it still is— but i enjoy doing it.”
Besides painting, Luther illustrates books and creates mixed media pieces. surrealism, landscapes and indigenous art influence his work, and nature, especially water, is a common theme. he often goes to assiniboine Park to photograph— and later paint— reflections of water lilies in the pond. although water is transparent, providing a window to what’ s below the surface, things can also lie on it, creating reflections and adding depth. " your canvas is also flat, but you’ re trying to create depth in your canvas,” he says. " the water surface and the painting surface are kind of the same thing.” art seems to come naturally to Luther, 70, evident after years of developing his artistic intuition. " you rely on your feelings,” he says.“ if you second guess yourself too much, you’ re working backwards. i like to move forwards.” Luther’ s art is available at Wayne arthur gallery and mayberry fine art, which has an exhibition of his recent works sep 7-29. 212 mcDermot ave, 204-255-5690, mayberryfineart. com, map 1: o-4
art eXhiBits
Sept 6-22— shaun finnigan’ s paintings, inspired by nature in manitoba and northwestern ontario, will be on display for Wild Works at La Maison des Artistes Visuels Francophones. Sept 7-21— Two Eyes One Soul at Warehouse Artworks features jo smoley’ s fluid pieces and brushwork paintings of nature. Sept 7-29— Mentoring Artists For Women’ s Art hosts Human Animal, its annual member show and sale. Sept 13-Nov 24— Not the Camera, But the Filing Cabinet: Performative Body Archives in Contemporary Art at Gallery 1C03 presents multimedia works that explore representations of the female and non-binary body. Sept 28-Nov 10— The Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery celebrates its 20th anniversary by showcasing more than 60 artists from around the world whose art has been displayed in the gallery. featured local artists include yisa akinbolaji( above), aganetha Dyck and megan krause. Oct 1-31— Flash Photographic Festival returns to various venues around the city. Catch hugh Conacher’ s display at the Edge Gallery and Urban Art Centre featuring large prints and interactive projections. Oct 2-30— Dianne fitzmaurice showcases her sculptures, tapestries and wearables made of natural fibres during Natural Wonders: Natural Fine Fiber Creations at Wayne Arthur Gallery. Oct 26-Nov 6— reymond Pagé’ s Faces in the Mirror at Cre8ery Gallery and Studio showcases a collection of portraits depicting the life journey of subjects.
sLeePLess night
SEP 29 explore the city’ s arts and culture scene for free during Nuit Blanche Winnipeg. exchange District, downtown and st. Boniface streets fill up as people watch live performances and browse galleries. some events including art displays run into the wee hours. Various venues. for more information, visit nuitblanchewinnipeg. ca
PhotograPhy: Courtesy of BoB steinBerg( Luther Pokrant), Luther Pokrant( BeLL Bottom BLues), nuit BLanChe WinniPeg, mhC gaLLery( yisa akinBoLaji)
8 where. ca september / october 2018