I am inspired and full of energetic ideas. This is the feeling I’ve gotten upon my return from Winnipeg. The last couple of weeks I have spent quite a bit of time in my studio, and falling back into my routine of work, kids, and home.
Why in the world would I go to Winnipeg?
Well two reasons really.I was actually born there, so I have family and friends there.But the motivation behind this trip was Bruce Head.On September 11th, the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) hosted an art exhibit entitled “Headspace: Five Decades of Bruce Head”.
Superchief (2008)
The gallery was full of so many different styles and years of his work. I moved from each piece inspecting them closely and enjoying each one. In the farthest room of the gallery I came across his most recent works – large installations of colour and brilliance. There was a bench to sit on so you could enjoy the works. I wanted everyone to leave so I could just sit there alone, surrounded by his colour and weep. I know this sounds so strange that I would feel this way, but I guess it is how I deal with the overwhelming feeling I get from his work.
Comeback Kid (2008)
Maybe it’s not so strange for me to feel this way considering the years that I have known Bruce (we lived across the street when I was a little girl), we have always had his work displayed prominently in our house. Even when we travelled to New Zealand, my dad carried a large canvas onto the ship because we didn’t trust anyone to handle it. Bruce Head and his artwork has always been in my life, so it just seems natural that the style of artwork that I am most comfortable and excited about is the abstract.
But the show was not the only thing drawing me to Bruce. I wanted to have a peek inside his head (no pun intended) to learn more about him, and to spend some time in his studio. It was such a treat to go poking around, looking into buckets, flipping through piles of work that weren’t on display at WAG (He could have filled the whole building and more), and having him explain how he did some techniques. I felt honoured to be welcomed into his home and into his family, and to be treated as family.
Oh how great it would be to return to Winnipeg and spend more time, watching him paint, playing in the studio… Ah, but that may have to be another time. Until then I submerge to my studio, put on my IPod, and try not to create Bruce Head knockoffs, but find an delicate balance between what I learned from him and what I envision myself.
Homestead (1994)
Mainstream (1979)