Unexpected Guests at the Prairie Star Gallery

Last Friday, Debora Senger, a neighbor  few doors west of me, and I took in the new exhibit at the Prairie Star Gallery on the 8th Street East , in Saskatoon.  By the end of the visit (an hour and half later) we agreed to become collaborators on this blog. Welcome Debora!

Kim Ennis-Curator/owner

Prairie Star Gallery ( website under construction) is owned and curated by Kim Ennis. Kim has a MA in Art History from the University of Saskatchewan. Kim's thesis titled, The Numinous Land  demonstrates that paintings have a spiritual aspect based on the structure of land. This finding is reflected in both of his pieces in the current exhibit.
Work by several established  Saskatoon painters, who used to be on the rolls of a prominent downtown gallery, are now on the Prairie Star Roll.
The current exhibit showcases work by several  including Anne McElroy, Kim Ennis and Edward Epp.

Kim Ennis- Acrylic on canvas

 Kim tells me that his painting practice is centered around a deliberate, and conscious effort to seek both answers and meanings about big and small questions of life and spirit. The spiny, muted forms and indefinite background of the piece above, gives the impression of  an organic architecture.  Debora and I both agree, "the piece is fun and captivating creating wonder through simple placement of shape and color".

Guest Artists

Works by Pat Doit , Caragana Ennis, Greg Pyra, Mei Sun, Carol Wylie  are exhibited in the current show. It is a fine show with quality, variety and elements of surprise. The drawings ( set of three) by Caragana Ennis are beautiful in detail and gesture.

Carol Wylie-oil on canvas

Carol Wylie 's "Mom Turning Away" has a bold color palette that carries conviction and lends depth to the emotion.The shoulders,chin and the far away glance lend the work a statuesque and authentic quality.
Debora notes that the painting is a " a skillful, dramatic, and poignant work"

Greg Pyra-oil on canvas

Greg Pyra's bold confident brush work lends a hyper-realism to the "Spring Melt" an oil on canvas painting. Debora says, " Gorgeous! love the use of color to create romantic light."

Gallery Artists

The Gallery has several accomplished and established artists on its roll and current exhibit draws from them. 

Anne McElroy-mixed media on paper

Anne McElroys " Bits and Pieces" reminds me of drawings of Chagall and mobiles of Alexander Calder. The playfulness is hardly constructed. It seems to leap from imagination to paper. 

Debora, " attractive, interesting and nice use of color"

Yulbin Moon's "Boy at piano" is delightful in its composition. I found myself  wondering about the melody being played. The blues accentuate the solitary mood. Looking forward to more from Yulbin Moon.

Edward Epp's "Sailing-Cross Currents" is a delightful and skillful piece.

Debora," Loves the organised chaos, use of color, texture from layered collage and the newspaper insert"

As mentioned before the show has variety in both subject matter  and media. If you have not yet visited the gallery, Debora and I highly recommend a visit. The gallery hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10 am-6 pm.