25°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Tragedy and pain expressed in art: exhibit rooted in Derksen murder
Odia Reimer with her art piece Seventy by Seven, which depicts tears of loss, at the Heritage Chuch Gallery. (DARCY FINLEY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Cliff Derksen and his work Holy Ground. (DARCY FINLEY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store
PEOPLE live in a world of "maybes and mights," British novelist Jenny Diski once observed. "When something real happens, it feels strangely unreal."
Cliff and Wilma Derksen have lived with that "strangely unreal" reality for much of the past 28 years, since daughter, Candace, was murdered on her way home from school. The trial convicting her killer concluded only a year ago.
The Derksen family has put that reality into an art exhibit called Indescribable: It Is About Murder, that opened Friday night in Winnipeg. Among its pieces are Cliff Derksen's sketches, and daughter Odia Reimer's crochet pieces -- Rorschach-like, multi-coloured flat circles -- they drew and crocheted during the 25 days of trial.
One of the sketches by Derksen, who has dabbled in art all his life, depicts a witness on the stand armed with belts of ammunition across his shoulders and a holstered pistol on his hip.
"Every lawyer says, 'My honourable friend,' even though you know they don't like each other. They keep up that decorum except when it comes to cross-examining witnesses. Defence lawyers disparage them and discourage them and make false comments to trick the witness. I got to seeing that it was dangerous," Derksen explained.
The most powerful piece is Seventy by Seven, in which Reimer, who is an installation artist and volunteer curator at Altona's Gallery in the Park, has crocheted 490 teardrops that hang suspended, representing the feelings of what it's like to lose a loved one to murder.
Another work by Reimer is a series of 66 photographs retracing the route Candace walked before her murder. It calls to mind the Walk to Golgotha paintings in some Roman Catholic churches.
Faith is evident in Derksen's works, which include sculptures of his favourite biblical character, David.
"He was a musician, a poet, and a warrior. That's just such a range. He's very unique," he said.
One sketch is of two Snoopies, from Peanuts cartoons, surrounded by numerous Woodstocks. It was done during one of Cliff's lowest point during the trials. The Woodstocks represent friends who supported him.
Also on display are works by 15-year-old Kelsie Trudeau, whose brother, Morgan, was killed in 2003. "It made me feel closer to Morgan," she said.
Curator Ray Dirks said the gallery likes to host issue-oriented exhibits.
The exhibit is showing at the Mennonite Heritage Church Gallery, at Canadian Mennonite University, until March 10.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 28, 2012 A4
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 32 articles for today)
Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
6:14 PM 0Great job, Nancy, but why did you take so long?
And while you’re at it getting back to math basics, the ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Pallister continues PST fight
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- No mad dash for concessions
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Killer 'should stay in prison'
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.