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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
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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 .
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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