February 6, 2013
Artworks by legend Leonard Cohen at Mayberry Fine Art March 9 to 16.
Artworks by legend Leonard Cohen at Mayberry Fine Art March 9 to 16
Show marks the first exhibit of Cohen’s work in Winnipeg; coincides with concert tour stop in Manitoba
Leonard Cohen -- legendary poet, singer-songwriter, novelist -- is also a talented visual artist, but that fact is much lesser known.
Cohen’s artworks, created over four decades as a private pursuit rather than for public consumption, were first exhibited in 2007.
For the first time in Winnipeg, 35 of Cohen’s works will be exhibited and for sale Saturday, March 9 to March 16 at Mayberry Fine Art (212 McDermot Ave.)
A public opening reception will be held Sunday, March 10 from 12 to 6 p.m.
The show entitled Leonard Cohen -- The Poet. The Painter. is in celebration of Cohen’s Old Ideas World Tour concert in Winnipeg March 11.
The diverse collection of limited edition prints include still-life and figure drawings, portraits and self-portraits (many of them annotated) reproduced from Cohen’s personal archives.
The work represents a 40-year visual record of his life beginning with his early days in Montreal and on the Greek island of Hydra.
Each permanent ink print (in editions of 20 to 100) is signed, titled, numbered and dated, embossed and stamped with Cohen’s personal seal by the artist himself.
Prices range from $2,500 to $7,000.
Cohen had always drawn and it became a family activity to sit around the kitchen table and draw with his children.
In describing his art practice, Cohen wrote:
From a mirror on my desk
In the very early morning
I copied down
Hundreds of self-portraits
Which reminded me of one thing or another.
His drawings have graced covers of his CDs and were included alongside his poetry in his 2006 Book of Longing, but very little has been written about Cohen, the artist.
Speaking about his decision to stage the Cohen exhibition, gallery owner Bill Mayberry said: “Our mandate is to promote Canadian artists and Leonard Cohen is an iconic Canadian artist recognized as a great poet, songwriter, musician and author. Most people don’t know of his talent as a visual artist. We wanted to bring this collection to the attention of Canadians who understand the importance of the man, his work and his legacy.”
Mayberry describes Cohen’s art this way: “I see his art as a connection between visual imagery and poetry and songwriting. If you listen to his music and envision the characters he sings about, you come to see that they are also depicted in his artwork.”
· Mayberry Fine Art is mounting the show in collaboration with Vancouver’s Granville Fine Art.
About Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen grew up in Montreal and studied English literature at McGill University. He has published numerous books of poetry and two novels. Cohen, 78, is globally known for his music -- as a singer and songwriter.
His first of 17 albums, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), included the classics “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne.”
In 2007, Winnipeg’s Robert Enright interviewed Cohen for an article in Border Crossings which focused on his drawings.
“So you go from doodles to an image that you consciously sit down to orchestrate. Does that cover the way the work comes to you?” Enright asked.
Answered Cohen, “Well, you know, just as play is deadly serious for children, so doodles are deadly serious for me.”
Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. He lives now in Los Angeles and is currently in the midst of his Old Ideas world concert tour that began in 2012.
About Mayberry Fine Art
Mayberry Fine Art opened in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District in 2002 and in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood in 2010. The gallery represents a broad range of historical Canadian works and prominent contemporary artists from across Canada. To learn more, visit www.mayberryfineart.com .