Exhibition
23 Jun 1983 - 6 Aug 1983
OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday June 23, 1983
8 – 10 PM
The 2nd Annual Wild West Show
Various Artists
In just three short weeks, the only art exhibition of its kind in Canada will open in the Alberta College of Art Gallery at 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 23rd. Like its predecessor last summer, the 2nd Annual Wild West Show examines, through the vehicle of contemporary art, the contrasting myth and reality that fuse in our western identity, history, folklore, and social and visual environment.
The 32 works in the exhibition by a fresh, non-repetitive group of 15 artists were selected by Curator, Val Greenfield and include painting, sculpture, installation pieces, printmaking and video. The resulting vision of the Wild West is explored in utter seriousness and with tongue-in-cheek from a myriad of viewpoints.
Randy Lee White, a native artist of Sioux descent, has created specifically for the exhibition a sixteen foot high tipi covered with a contemporary interpretation of ancient pictographs while a cowhide-covered TruckStop cafe suite represents the installations of California cowgirl, Joan Zalenski. Local sculptor Garry Williams presents fanciful pieces based on the events in the life of the rodeo cowboy. The mythology of the cowboy and that of the
Blackfoot nation is amplified in oil paintings executed in an individualistic primitive manner by Jane Zednik of Saskatoon. Oklahoman "Cactus" Dan Kiacz's serigraphs depict a glamourized version of western heroes from his own fascination with western films and television serials. Through the medium of video, Fort Worth entrepreneur Lionel Bevan investigates the persona of the women of rodeo: the surviving cowgirls of early Wild West Shows and the modern participants in actual competition.
A major component will be produced on site at the Gallery by Dallas folk artist and popular legend, Willard Watson, "The Texas Kid." The Kid will decorate an actual pickup truck in his own outrageous and outlandish personal style as a tribute to our modem obsession with vehicles.
The 2nd Annual Wild West Show will be officially opened by Mr. Charlie West of CKRY-FM Country at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23rd and live Country 'n Western music by Whiskey River will keep your dancing boots busy for the entire evening. Most of the 14 artists in the exhibition will be in attendance at the gala opening celebration.
The exhibition continues until August 6, 1983 and an extensive catalogue with colour illustrations will accompany the show. We will keep you posted on details of the opening celebration and the special preview for members of the media. We hope to see y'all there dressing western of course!
Artists: Lionel Bevan, Bob Bourden, David Bradley, Stephen Czernecki, “Cactus” Dan Kiacz, Edward Poitras, Bill Schenck, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, James Surls, Bob “Daddy-O” Wade, Willard “Texas Kid” Watson, Randy Lee White, Gary Williams, Joan Zalenski, Jane Zednik.
