My Daily Art
JUSTIN SAMANSKI-LANGILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSLocal artist Kenneth Lavallee poses in front of his Creation Story, which was installed on the side of the Winnipeg Art Gallery Wednesday evening as part of the upcoming INSURGENCE/RESURGENCE exhibition, which opens Sept. 22.170816 – Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
I wanted one for the WAG but it’s a little challenging with our limestone clad exterior. We did commission the Metis artist to create a building banner for the Insurgence / Resurgence exhibition in 2017, and the work continued around the back ramp of the WAG as a painted wall mural.
Entitled Creation Story the piece recalls the blue waves of the great floods documented in Biblical, Classical Greek, and Indigenous texts. Working on the banner, the artist talked about the themes of creation and destruction – and resilience: “just as water always wins, floods always recede . . . and glints of hope always shine through.” The golden pink orb is mesmerizing.
Back to his massive star blanket a few blocks away – the blanket is meant to heal and evoke the teachings of the creator. Artistic statements filled with hope. As a kid, Kenneth attended art classes at the WAG. Now he says: “It would be great to influence someone else – another little kid riding the bus.”
JUSTIN SAMANSKI-LANGILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Local artist Kenneth Lavallee poses in front of his Creation Story, which was installed on the side of the Winnipeg Art Gallery Wednesday evening as part of the upcoming INSURGENCE/RESURGENCE exhibition, which opens Sept. 22.
170816 – Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
JUSTIN SAMANSKI-LANGILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Creation Story, by local artist Kenneth Lavallee is seen on the side of the Winnipeg Art Gallery Wednesday evening. The 35 by 41-foot piece was installed as part of the upcoming INSURGENCE/RESURGENCE exhibition, which opens Sept. 22.
170816 – Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
While the WAG is temporarily closed, this series of posts from Director & CEO, Dr. Stephen Borys, shares an artwork from the collection every day until the Gallery reopens. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or visit our stories section for this and more WAG@Home content.
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Thanks Stephen for posting another wonderful story about art and the feeling of hope it can bring in troubled times.
This morning my family and I are reflecting on the tragic events unfolding in Nova Scotia. Our older son, Owen, spent 5 amazing years living in Halifax while he attended Dalhousie University. We visited him often during his time there and fell in love with the city and province.
Every time we went to see him, I made sure to visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. A beautiful space, full of contemporary, Indigenous and Folk art. Naturally, they have a large collection of Maud Lewis paintings.
Maud Lewis lived a difficult life. Beset by poverty, isolation and physical challenges. And yet, she produced work of such joy, light and innocence. Looking at her paintings this morning has given me some comfort as I think about the terrible losses suffered by the people of Nova Scotia.
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful message and memory Aynsley. Art is indeed a comfort during these difficult times. Our hearts go out to those in Nova Scotia.