Joe Fafard
June 28 to September 14, 2008
In celebration of a successful career that spans more than four decades, Joe Fafard, one of Canada’s most beloved and nationally
acclaimed artists, will be featured in a major
retrospective exhibition that chronicles the full scope of this remarkable Saskatchewan artist's career.
Opening on June 28, 2008, the exhibition, curated by Terrence Heath, features over 60 pieces of Fafard’s oeuvre and is being exhibited in over 5 gallery spaces at the McMichael.
Focusing primarily on Fafard’s extraordinary sculptures—which vary in size from small clay figures to large bronze and steel works, the exhibit will explore Fafard’s portraiture work of family, friends, Aboriginal heritage, politicians and others. The collection includes sculptures of popular politicians; Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien, and his trademark rural pieces of cows and horses. The exhibit will also include some of Fafard’s drawings.
Fafard, an Order of Canada recipient, is
accredited for transforming clay into a respected
fine art medium and for contributing to the field
of sculpture through his radical experimentation
with both form and production.
When asked why he does what he does,
Fafard said,
“I can’t put a finger on what compels
me to make these things, but I keep doing it
anyway. Well, it is a good way to live and make
a living. I’m quite happy about it!”
Joe Fafard, September 2002.
