Local artist presenting retrospective exhibit
- Ron Giofu
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Amherstburg artist Bobbi Wagner is taking a look back at her long career in art through her latest exhibit.
“Looking in a Rear View Mirror: Art Reflections by Bobbi (Barbara) Wagner” has opened at The Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg with the exhibit running through July 26.
A reception will be held July 19 from 2-4 p.m.
Wagner, who recently published a book with much of her art collection in it, has many of those paintings included in the exhibit. She had the book made primarily as a record of her work, noting she wanted something to remember her work by when she has to downsize.
“I plan on donating a portion of my work to charity,” she said.
Other work will be sold, though Wagner acknowledges the best place to sell her work was when she lived in Toronto and Oakville. She said she had a studio on Yonge St. while living in Toronto.
The first painting by Wagner was made in 1963, when her boyfriend at the time took her fishing. She would eventually take an art class and recalled being told the best way to earn an “A” grade would be to create a piece of art every week, be quiet and don’t hang out of the classroom windows.
“I’ve done all kinds of work,” she said.
Landscapes, lighthouses, political commentary, and what she sees on her travels are part of her extensive collection. She has painted across North America, Argentina and Europe in addition to close to home.
“I started working at Sheridan College in 1980,” she said. “I was active in the faculty union at Sheridan.”
Work she created as an activist is featured in various places, including Sheridan College itself. While teaching, she has experimented in various mediums and that continued throughout her 28-year career.
“I need to always experiment to grow myself,” she said.
Wagner’s favourite time to paint is early in the morning or later in the evening. She said she creates her work “to have a dialogue with the viewer, so they have a sense of time and place.”
A portion of the exhibit will feature work since Wagner had a car accident and after she had a bout with vertigo. She had to recuperate and re-learn how to paint.
“I feel blessed to learn to paint again,” said Wagner. “I love painting. I really do.”
Over 80 paintings will be part of the show, joking “the gallery is going to be very full.”
“It’s a real honour to have a solo retrospective show,” she said. “It’s been a journey.”
The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Hours in July and August are daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 519-736-2826 or visit www.gibsonartgallery.com.
Local artist presenting retrospective exhibit
By Ron Giofu