The Arts
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ordinary JOE
Sculptor's warm, witty works render plain and familiar in loving detail
Joe Fafard has thrown quite the art party at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Silent clay figures that look as if they could be your next-door neighbour or your great-uncle Pete, fascinating renderings of political and artistic figures, and herds of metallic and glazed livestock are all grouped together in an incredible retrospective of the Saskatchewan sculptor's work.
Since the 1970s, Fafard has been capturing his animated surroundings in a variety of three-dimensional media. Fafard's work embraces Canada and the many facets of its culture (French, English and aboriginal) and its landscape (city and country).
It is his natural ability to recreate the familiar that has gained him widespread recognition and respect. Somehow Fafard is able to maintain a touch of humour in almost all his works. Perhaps it's the honesty with which he portrays his subjects that makes them so amusing.
The over 70 works in the WAG exhibition take viewers through Fafard's career and artistic development. His smaller figurative clay creations start off the show. The first galleries are full of small glass cases that hold ceramic representations of his friends and family from the early part of his career. Although the viewer will probably not know the people that Fafard has captured in clay, the care that is put into each wrinkle and wardrobe detail will make viewers feel as if they have met these folks before.
The rosy, weathered face of George II is an excellent example of Fafard's gift. Each skin crevice, both deep and shallow, in the face of this aged man is so exact and lifelike. His eyes are tired and full of a history that is not shown to the viewers. It is this level of attention that's seen in each and every one of the works, not just the smaller, earlier ceramic pieces.
Moving further along in the galleries, the viewer is taken on to a new area of subject interest in Fafard's career. Artists (specifically Vincent van Gogh) and Canadian politicians of the 1980s add another dimension of familiarity to the exhibition.
The suit in Dear Vincent, his representation of a paint-in-hand van Gogh, is swirling with references to the artist's work.
Walking into the next room, the focus goes from the creatively inspiring to the politically captivating through the many faces of politicians such as Jean Chrétien.
Farm animals -- specifically cows and horses -- are one of Fafard's main and clearly beloved subjects, and his trademark image. The remaining galleries are filled but not crowded with these larger works. From slightly abstracted to eerily realistic, Fafard uses cows and horses to develop and control form. But these works are never repetitive, as he is able to maintain a diverse intensity throughout his reproductions.
Piggybacking on the Fafard focus at the WAG is commercial gallery Mayberry Fine Art, which is displaying the artist's more recent output. Laser-cut steel and glittering black bronze are the materials of choice for many of the pieces.
The highlight is certainly the chunky, happy cows rendered in bronze. While many of these works, such as Non Photo Based Cow, keep the dark sparkle of the bronze, the sweetness and care shown in the creamy colouring of Monseigneur once again highlight Fafard's incredible ability to recreate life through art.
The final section of the WAG exhibition is a breathtaking installation of 11 nearly life-size steel steeds. Silently galloping through the gallery space, Running Horses moves with the fine cuts and organic colour palette on each of the beasts. His handling of this sturdy material is softened, yet still strong. The wisps of the manes flow as if they are made from silk and the detailing on each of the bodies of the horses is intricate and fine.
It's not only a stunning image to be left with from this stellar exhibition, but it also shows how Fafard has maintained an ever-evolving, imaginative vigour throughout his career.
freep.artreview@gmail.com
ART REVIEW
Joe Fafard
Winnipeg Art Gallery
515 Memorial Ave.
Until Sept. 27
Joe Fafard -- New Works
Mayberry Fine Art, 212 McDermot Ave.
Until Sept. 4
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 5, 2009 B5
- Rate this

-
-
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.
Post Your Comment
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
-
Faith Enduring
A look at Manitoba’s Ukrainian community through their churches
-
The Forgotten Disease
The fight to eradicate tuberculosis is far from over.
-
Flu Fight
News about the world's battle against the H1N1 flu pandemic
-
Follow the Way!
Join United Way on its journey toward lasting change and better lives.
-
Winnipeg road closures
Check if your commute is affected
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins
-
Blogs to Watch
We pick our favourite local blogs for you to follow
-
Breaking News Widget
Create and embed a Winnipeg Free Press breaking news widget on your site or blog
- Back to Top
- Return to The Arts
Advertisement
Most Popular
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Manitoba man killed in crash in Nebraska
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Jury finds man guilty in execution-style slaying
- Rush hour crash closes Wilkes
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Woman charged in year-old homicide case
- Will you get the H1N1 flu vaccine?
- Province confirms second H1N1 death
- Police looking for missing girls
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Find lukewarm lovers who fit your style
- Activists protest delay over Kapyong housing
- Province takes aim at stubble fires
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Ignatieff, McFadyen do the shuffle dance
- Rush hour crash closes Wilkes
- Addicts out in cold: workers
- Jury finds man guilty in execution-style slaying
- Sod turned at IKEA site today
- Horror at the movies? That's the snack booth
- Southern chiefs blast Hydro
- Health Canada warns vets and pet owners about drug used to treat diabetes
- Activists protest delay over Kapyong housing
- Mortgage rates likely to rise soon
- Children helping children is charity's goal
- 300 homes evacuated, schools closed after heavy rain, high tide flood Duncan, BC
- Scientist fears shutting down of field station
- Death after shot for H1N1 probed
Ads by Google


PREVIOUS

0 Comments