A Duo Exhibition Celebrating Two Legendary Manitoba Artists, Robert Bruce (1911-1980) Keith Wood (1944-2018)
A Duo Exhibition Celebrating Two Legendary Manitoba Artists
Robert Bruce (1911-1980)
Keith Wood (1944-2018)
May 11 - 27
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 11 from 6:30 - 9:30pm. 163 Clare Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Soul Gallery is OPEN every Saturday from Noon - 4 pm OR by Appointment during the week.
ROBERT BRUCE (1911-1980)
Robert Bruce was an artist and a professor at the School of Art at the University of Manitoba. Born in Grandview Manitoba, his early training as an artist was under the tutelage of L.L. FitzGerald at the Winnipeg School of Art.
As a dedicated educator for 30 years, his teaching approach focused on good design and drawing. “The important basis is the drawing.” No matter where Bruce went, he had his sketchbook in hand and encouraged his students to do the same. Known for his unorthodox teaching techniques and materials, Bruce is lauded by many of Manitoba’s artists today as an inspiring teacher from whom they learned the most in their fine arts education. His daughter Katharine Bruce, a celebrated Manitoba artist is a testament to her father’s teaching legacy.
This current exhibition at Soul Gallery focuses on artwork from the late 1950s-70s. The collection features select works demonstrating Bruce’s love for the Canadian shield, captured in the colored ink drawings of forest landscapes; to printmaking in the mid-1960 where his innate joy and humor are conveyed through various subjects; and the bright colorful monoprints of Mexico in the ’70s. Within a large body of monoprints, Bruce celebrates all his strengths to truly original ends, demonstrating his free and expressive drawing style with his impressive color sensibility, creating bolder and bolder blends as his experimentation with pigments progressed over time.
KEITH WOOD (1944-2018) - By Shira Wood
My dad made everyone smile. His casual, friendly demeanor drew people to him and once he had your attention his storytelling kept you there. His stories were always colorful; some made you laugh, some made you blush and some just made you smile.
Dad was always excited to talk about art and loved seeing interest in all generations. When aspiring artists knew his work and were excited to chat with him you could see the glow inside of him. I don’t believe this was because it made him feel important, I believe this was because it excited him to see the same passion for art he had in others, the process, the emotion, the sometimes-unpredictable results, and the unbridled, unbreakable commitment to creating.
My dad lived true to himself and true to his process and passion.
My wish for you who view this collection is that you see with more than your eyes. This was my dad’s intention also. He didn’t believe in naming pieces. He wanted people to experience his art from their own perspective instead of looking for something he might have suggested in a title. He wanted to see the excitement in others when they experienced viewing something that spoke to them, touched them, and excited them.