By Sarah Wallace

Thought provoking exhibition coming to Mann Art Gallery

Jul 24, 2016 | 8:23 AM

A thought provoking exhibition will soon be on display at the Mann Art Gallery in Prince Albert.

An exhibit by Canadian artist Grant McConnell called PowerHouse will begin on July 28.

Jesse Campbell, director and curator at the gallery, said the gallery was really lucky to get the exhibit because McConnell is an artist of national renown who’s had exhibits all across the country.

“We’re really fortunate to have someone so knowledgeable and has lots of experience in Prince Albert. He’s also very big in the artists’ representation world,” she said.

McConnell is the president and national spokesperson on the National Board of CARFAC which advocates for artists to be paid fair wages for things like exhibitions, workshops or consultation fees.

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PowerHouse is an exhibition of McConnell’s works from over the last year.

“It’s a comment on the place of the government and those authoritative institutions in our lives and what we make of them,” Campbell said.

There will be over 60 pieces of works on display, both large and small.

“It’s going to be a really thought provoking exhibition,” she said.

Campbell said the public can expect to get a lot of ideas about the government’s role at any kind of level at the exhibit.

“It’s especially good timing with all of the elections coming up, both in our city, the recent provincial election and the big American presidential race. I think the public will be able to form a lot of opinions and have a lot of thinking to do,” Campbell said.

A unique part of McConnell’s work is that it references a lot of western art history.

Campbell said there are a number of historical images people will be familiar with that will encourage people to think about the visual legacy the governments hand down.

McConnell will be in attendance at the opening night of the exhibition at the gallery on July 28 at 7 p.m.

 “It’s a great opportunity to hear the artist speak about their practice, their work, what inspired and informed the show as the whole and specific paintings and a great chance for people to ask questions,” Campbell said.

The Mann Art Gallery is always open to the public as well as the reception on July 28.

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter and Instagram: @sarahthesquid