Ken HouseGo: The Prairies, the Maritimes and a Few Lakes

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Ken HouseGo, "Northern Incantation," 1991

mixed materials, Photo by Douglas Duplessis.

Opening Reception and Artwalk: Thursday, Sept 7, 6 – 9 pm

Grande Prairie art veteran Ken HouseGo articulates the many places he calls ‘home’ in a rich and colourful exhibition that explores the connections between place, home and geography. The Prairies, the Maritimes and a Few Lakes, is an artistic survey spanning many years. The exhibit is comprised of new and old works, as well as a small selection of works from the collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. A celebration of the artist’s lived experiences, achievements and memories; it chronicles the wide geography of Canada with nostalgic, yet thoughtful prose. 

HouseGo's distinct and instantly distinguishable style brings together a variety of elements. He uses many mediums to create his vignettes: wood, paint, metal and pastel. Compelling and enigmatic stories unfold through this skilled craftsman and artist's creations, which are juxtaposed with found and altered objects. The artifacts of his practice become profoundly personal signifiers to him. They are emotive, yet also charged with collective meaning, to viewers who bring their own interpretations to the works.  

HouseGo’s works elicit excitement and introspection. Through his works we learn about ourselves, our place in history, and the heritage and habits of our nation. This engaging and inspiring exhibition journals a lifetime of fascinating stories, in a distinctly Canadian voice. Each work forms a new passage from HouseGo’s suspenseful and intriguing tome.