PowerHouse by Grant McConnell

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Grant McConnell, "Parliament, from Sea to Sea (with Seuss)," 2015

acrylic on wood, 35" x 47"

Edifice

*a building, especially a large, imposing one.

*a complex system of beliefs.

This exhibition takes as its subject the notion of a dominating edifice, as seen through Canadian, and other, political and landmark architecture.

PowerHouse continues an ongoing investigation of subject matter related to Canadian historical themes. Here, works of architecture have been chosen for their social or political significance, and reworked in order to uncover parallel meanings and to present a jumping-off point for radically diverse interpretation. As these foundational structures are commonplace in our public visual sphere, (in actuality or through media representations), I think they offer an immediate opportunity for opening a varied dialogue with sometimes unanticipated responses.

The works in the exhibition range from small mixed media drawings through to large scale painting on wood panel. The range of subject matter, (national, provincial and territorial legislatures, railway hotels, court houses, and federal institutions, etc.), allow me to take my ideas for a walk, so to speak. The approach to each interpretation often draws from an artist from history, such as Cezanne, Chardin, Tiepolo, Morandi, Giacometti, etc.. And, of course, Dr. Seuss. A very special thank-you to these artists as they’ve joined me on this stroll.

Grant McConnell

The exhibition presented at the Humboldt and District Museum and Art Gallery is edited from the original.

Artist Biography

Grant McConnell lives and works with his wife and 3 children in Saskatoon, Sk. Born in York County, Ontario, he has lived in Saskatoon since 1981. He studied Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick before completing an MFA at the University of Saskatchewan in 1994.

He is known primarily for his acrylic on wood painting derived from an ongoing investigation of subject matter related to Canadian historical themes. This work varies in approach and media, from a meditative engagement with still life through to landscapes chosen for their social or political significance. He also works in sculpture and monument design.

His work has been exhibited across Canada and abroad, and has been purchased into public, corporate and private collections in Saskatchewan, Canada and the United States. He has served as Provincial Representative of CARFAC Sask., and is past president of Canadian Artist’s Representation/ CARFAC National. He is currently on the board of directors of Access Copyright, and has also served as a board member of the Saskatchewan Arts Board. He teaches studio and art history at St. Peter’s College in Muenster, Sk., and at the University of Saskatchewan.

Running concurrently with PowerHouse in Humboldt, is his exhibition Rogue Royal, showing at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery through August, 2017.