Acclaimed Sculptor Joe Fafard To Open Summer-Long Exhibition - Media Release

WINNIPEG -- Acclaimed Canadian artist Joe Fafard’s first, self-portrait bronze sculpture -- entitled “Selfie” -- along with works paying homage to masters Paul Gauguin and Fafard’s frequent muse Vincent Van Gogh, are among 30 pieces the sculptor will introduce to the Winnipeg public on July 6 at Mayberry Fine Art.

The Essential Joe Fafard - Van Gogh and Other Inspirations is the first major exhibition of Fafard’s works in Winnipeg since 2009. The show will be a summer-long event, running until Aug. 28 at the Mayberry gallery -- 212 McDermot Ave. in the Exchange District.

Fafard, one of Canada’s most-recognized, contemporary sculpture artists (see bio following), will greet gallery-goers during First Fridays in the Exchange the evening of July 6.

Each edition of the “Selfie” sculpture -- which depicts Fafard hands on hips, smartphone in his shirt pocket -- is air-brushed with patina and painted. The use of different colours makes each one unique. Fafard collectors -- one from Toronto and another from Calgary -- have already snapped up two of nine to be cast. An as-yet-unseen “Selfie” will be shown exclusively in Winnipeg.

Fafard, who has long been fascinated and inspired by Van Gogh and his art, created several new pieces portraying the Dutch master for the Mayberry shows. His dynamic bronze sculpture, entitled “The Sower,” depicts the Dutch master at work. The colours Fafard uses for the piece are reminiscent of the colour palette Van Gogh, himself, favoured. 

Intriguing, relief sculptures of Van Gogh -- one comprised of felted styrofoam and another of painted styrofoam -- were born of Fafard’s battle with cancer this past year.  Working with those light-weight materials rather than his traditional bronze allowed the 75-year-old Fafard to continue creating while undergoing treatment.

Eerily, Van Gogh’s eyes seem to follow viewers as they pass by the works.

Several of Fafard’s iconic bronze sculptures of farm animals and wildlife are also included in the exhibition.

As always, there is no admission to view works on display at Mayberry Fine Art.

While tens of thousands of Winnipeggers have likely encountered Fafard’s work around Winnipeg, many of them might not realize it. 

Fafard is the artist who created Peggy, the larger-than-life sculpture of a gangly foal that has enhanced the streetscape outside Mayberry Fine Art since 2009. Fafard bison stand at Manitoba Hydro headquarters and animals fashioned of laser-cut metal prowl the sculpture garden adjacent to the former St. Boniface city hall. 

Many of the pieces in the Mayberry Fine Art exhibition are available for sale, priced from $1,000 to $49,000. The collection can be viewed online at www.mayberryfineart.com.

Mayberry Fine Art, with galleries in Winnipeg and Toronto, represents a select group of contemporary Canadian artists in addition to its activity in the historical art market.

Several of Fafard’s iconic bronze sculptures of farm animals and wildlife are also included in the exhibition.

As always, there is no admission to view works on display at Mayberry Fine Art.

While tens of thousands of Winnipeggers have likely encountered Fafard’s work around Winnipeg, many of them might not realize it. 

Fafard is the artist who created Peggy, the larger-than-life sculpture of a gangly foal that has enhanced the streetscape outside Mayberry Fine Art since 2009. Fafard bison stand at Manitoba Hydro headquarters and animals fashioned of laser-cut metal prowl the sculpture garden adjacent to the former St. Boniface city hall. 

Many of the pieces in the Mayberry Fine Art exhibition are available for sale, priced from $1,000 to $49,000. The collection can be viewed online at www.mayberryfineart.com.

Mayberry Fine Art, with galleries in Winnipeg and Toronto, represents a select group of contemporary Canadian artists in addition to its activity in the historical art market.