Rogue Royal by Grant McConnell
This exhibition features paintings and mixed media works on the subject of royal personages.
For this exhibition of paintings by Grant McConnell the artwork is derived from an ongoing investigation into the work of Diego Velasquez* – particularly his royal portraits. McConnell positions Velasquez’s subjects within a Canadian historical context. Canada, in all its crude beauty, becomes the new ground for these royal figures, who are given a new purpose in the colonies. – MJM&AG
AGSC curator, Kim Houghtaling states McConnell’s paintings are visually remarkable and their subject and references relevant. The mashup of European aristocracy imposed on the Canadian landscape seems a little out of place until you consider the colonization of the Americas. Sponsored by European aristocracy the Spanish, English and French monarchies all staked claims in North America – imposing themselves on this landscape – and perhaps continuing today to look a little out of place. – AGSC
This exhibition is organized in partnership with the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery. Exhibition Publication with an essay is available.
At AGSC January 6 to February 25, 2018
Grant McConnell of Saskatoon, b:1958, holds an MFA from University of Saskatchewan. He is best known for his acrylic paintings on wood-panel or canvas. His work explores themes of Canadian history and cultural identity. He takes a critical perspective when considering dominant narratives about history, and uses imagery of animals and urban and rural landscapes to provoke thought about “official” versions of history. McConnell’s work has been exhibited across Canada and in Hong Kong. His work is represented in several collections, including the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Mendel Art Gallery (Saskatoon), MacKenzie Art Gallery (Regina), Regina Public Library, and SaskTel. – Sask NAC
*Artist, Diego Velasquez, b1500 – d1660 was a Spanish painter and lead artist in the court of King Philip IV and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age. His subjects included scenes of historical and cultural significance and portraits of the Spanish royal family along with other notable European figures, and commoners. – Text / Wikipedia