Walt Humphries: Life’s Like That
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Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre 4750 48 St (PO Box 1320), Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A L29
Walt Humphries, "Life is Like that," nd
Walt Humphries: Life’s Like That
Quirky and entertaining watercolours by Yellowknife prospector, writer and artist Walt Humphries.
Walt Humphries was born and raised in Southern Ontario, but in his own words, “there were too many people and not enough rocks.” So, after graduating from the Haileybury School of Mines in 1969, he travelled to the Northwest Territories. He made the permanent move to Yellowknife in 1974, starting his own mineral exploration business. He learned how to draft, making countless hand-drawn maps. Besides drawing for work, he drew and painted for pleasure – recording thoughts and impressions of prospecting life, city life, inner life, and the comedy of errors that is everyday life.
Humphries’ work gives a multi-dimensional picture of one man’s experience of the Canadian North, but we know many will relate. We’ve organized this exhibition into five themes to help facilitate appreciation. We hope you enjoy the personality and humour of Humphries’ work whether you’re visiting Yellowknife or have been here forever. May our championing of his artwork – his brilliant explorations of form, colour, line - help deepen your affection for this place.
-Sarah Swan & Bill Braden