John K. Esler: the art of multiples, prints from 1969-1995

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John K. Esler, "West Cosmos #2, ed. of 19," 1969

serigraph, 41 x 29 in. Courtesy of the Gallery.

Opening Reception // Saturday April 15, 1-4 pm

CKG is pleased to announce a solo exhibition showcasing the late John K. Esler’s remarkable inventory of prints from 1969 - 1995. 

Esler first explored printmaking in his home province of Manitoba before moving to Alberta where he became a key innovator of printmaking at both a local and national level. Esler was instrumental in setting up the printmaking departments at both the University of Calgary and AUArts. J.K.’s incredible legacy spans many decades as not only an artist but also as an educator and mentor to generations of printmakers, J.K.’s prints have been largely unseen since his passing in 2001.

In collaboration with his estate we are honoured to be sharing a selection of his serigraphs and etchings with the public and as a special opportunity to collectors.

“There are all the recognizable formal involvements such as board memberships, chairmanships,...as juror or representative of major print exhibitions across Canada, awards won in national and international exhibitions, inclusion in major collections such as the MoMA, The Albright-Knox, The Victoria and Albert, The National Gallery of Canada, and exhibitions all over the world—United States, Taiwan, France, Italy, South America, England, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, Germany, etc. These credentials alone establish [J.K. Esler] as a major figure in the Canadian printmaking scene from the 1960s to the present. But even more than these contributions, the efforts he has made, the help he has given, the interest he has taken that will never be recorded officially mark his most valuable contributions. All the students he has taught, the advise and information he has offered to beginning printmakers over the years, the moral support, the opportunities, the sharing of technical methodology, the manning of the sale table for Alberta Printmakers Society, sharing the cost of a paper order, giving away a can of homemade soft ground...These are the actions that make a real difference to printmaking in Canada. He may be known for his public contributions, but he is personally esteemed for his private ones.”

Excerpt from Essay “35 Years and 15 Minutes: The Way of J.K. Esler” by Susan Ford from the Exhibition Catalog of the same title published by The Nickle Arts Museum (now Nickle Galleries), The University of Calgary, 1994