Lorne Wagman Solo Exhibition

Wagman Exhibit

LORNE WAGMAN: A 10 YEAR SURVEY

runs until July 17th, 2009

Guelph’s enterprising new Alma Gallery has scored a coup by persuading Lorne Wagman, one of the finest Landscape Painters in Canada, to exhibit a 10-year survey of work in their beautifully restored space.

Lorne chose the Guelph gallery because of its curator Renann Isaacs, daughter of the renowned Av Isaacs (The Isaacs Gallery) who introduced Canadian audiences to Michael Snow, William Kurelek, Joyce Weiland, Gordon Rayner, Graham Coughtry, John Meredith, Greg Curnoe, to name a few.

Wagman, who has exhibited across Canada and internationally, had his start with the Isaacs Gallery in the 80s. “I accepted an invitation from Renann to exhibit my work at the Alma Gallery” Wagman goes on to say “and am honoured to be associated with her as she carries on the Isaacs tradition”.

Highly praised for providing his own personal interpretation of nature, Lorne captures the countryside by finding a balance between realism and abstraction with an impressionist flare. Expressive brush strokes combined with bright, contrasting colours and beautifully expansive skylines (reminiscent of both Van Gogh and the Group of Seven’s Lawren Harris) make Lorne Wagman one of the most sought after Canadian artists of his generation

The Alma Gallery has already exhibited works by such noted Canadians as Tony Urquhart, David Bolduc, David Sorensen, as well as silversmith Lois Etherington Betteridge. “Our mandate is to successfully promote the finest emerging, mid-career, and established artists in the region (of which there are many)” Isaacs said “but art knows no boundaries and we are also dedicated to bringing exhibitions by the finest artists from across Canada (and abroad) to Guelph”.

The Alma Gallery is situated in downtown Guelph and is part of the historic Alma Block (1868). Co-owner Tom Dowd (who is also a designer and builder), recently won the 2009 Architectural Conservancy of Ontario award for the most exemplary restoration or adaptive re-use of a significant heritage structure in Guelph and Wellington County.