Ark

"The animals in Ark, the summer treat at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery, have entered in twos - just like the Bible says. This Ark - filled with mechanical mice, paint-by-number kittens and spikey ceramic dogs - brims with animal magnetism. But the furry, feathered and finny creatures seen here are in the two works apiece by 20 artists from Alberta and Saskatchewan, instead of the matched pairs that Mr. Noah welcomed aboard. 

This is a delightful, very pleasurable show, one that's fun to look at, and one that the kids will like. In fact, it would make a good introduction to art for youngsters, because it doesn't talk down and it's filled with variety, humor, color and a subject to which children can easily relate. It's a surprise to see just how many artists - from Medicine Hat folk artist George Markle to Calgary conceptualist Chris Cran – have included images of animals in their work. But then there are artists who've become closely associated with animals. 

Ark includes Alexandra Haesekcr's sheepdogs, Attilla Richard Lukac's monkeys, Joe Fafard 's frisky foxes and birthing cow, and Brian Cooley's dinosaurs. Cooley's contributions are the one-tenth-scale, working model for his current life-sized work-in-progress, a pachyrhinosaurus, and a bronze made in the same scale as the model.  

Some artist, Carroll Moppett, David Janzen, David Thauherger and Wright Simmons - are represented by strong earlier works it's great to see again. Others - Wayne Giles and Walter May - have terrific new works on view. 

But it's all interesting to look at and think about. Art with animals as the subject is a mirror of their furless-featherless-finless friends and how we relate to them. 

The Noah overseeing this Ark, which the weather has suddenly made topical, is none other than Illingworth Kerr himself, who appears in a photograph at the door of the Calgary studio he called Punkeydoodle's Corner.  Two of his animal drawings are here, too. 

To quote Stanford Perrott on Kerr, who was head of the art college from 1947-1967 and was known as Buck to his friends, "The painters of Alberta today may not paint like Buck Kerr but they are his children." 

A number of Kerr's former students are in this show. Curated by another of his former students, the painter and Kerr Gallery director/curator Ron Moppett, Ark sails into view as a loving homage.  

It's also blessed visual relief for anyone who's weary of theory and needs a summer break." 

- Excerpt written by Nancy Tousley, Calgary Herald, 1995.  

Artists: Pat Strakowski, Chris Cran, Carroll Moppett, Wright Simmonds, Dennis Budgen, Wayne Giles, Bill Rodgers, Illingworth H. Kerr, Walter May, Attila Richard Lukacs, Alexandra Haeseker, Joe Fafard, Arlene Stamp, Gladys M. Johnston, George Markle, Brian Cooley, David Thauberger, David Janzen, Kirsten Abrahamson, Martin Bennett