A Prince George artist's legacy will be on inspirational tour across the Fraser-Fort George region.
The works done between 1997 and 2012 by the late Allan Farmer have been assembled into a mobile exhibition. Their first stop is Valemount where the show opens on July 26.
"Allan Farmer was well known for his representations of landscapes drawn from Prince George and its surroundings," said Two Rivers Gallery head curator George Harris. "He moved to the city in 1998 where he worked in the logging industry while juggling his love of art. Over the years a number of his paintings offered a window onto the industry in which he worked. Farmer died suddenly in March 2014 leaving behind a body of work that stands as a compelling document of life in the Central Interior of BC."
A short publication will accompany this exhibition including a brief introduction by Harris and a short essay by curatorial assistant Audrey-Anne V. LeBlanc. The catalogue considers Farmer's paintings and includes a brief history of the artist drawn from interviews with those who knew him and appreciated his work as an artist.
The catalogue will be available at the Two Rivers Gallery and at exhibition venues wherever the tour goes. It can be used as a guide to the exhibition or enjoyed as a separate documentary on the artist.
"We were shocked and devastated to learn of Allan Farmer's sudden passing," Harris said. "We had discussed with him the possibility of developing a small exhibition of his work to tour the regional district a few years ago, but there was insufficient work. Because of a generous donation of Farmer's paintings as well as a loan from a private collection, we are very pleased to be able to organize this exhibition this summer. This exhibition draws upon that legacy offering a unique reflection on who we are and where we live."
The exhibition is called Far Away and opens with a public reception on July 26 at noon at the Valemount and Area Museum.
The show is also the inspiration for a workshop in Valemount the following day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. led by renowned Prince George artist and art instructor Maureen Faulkner. The seminar is called In Situ: Working Art In Places of Labour.
"The participants will create a work of art, focusing on preliminary drawing and developing a final design, on an industrial site," said Harris. "Similar to how Farmer established harmony between nature and industry, the public will endeavour to find the beauty of industry."
This workshop is free (materials included) and pre-registration is required. Please contact Valemount and Area Museum to register and for more information.
Far Away will hang at the Valemount and Area Museum until Aug. 18. It will travel next to Mackenzie from Aug. 27 to Sept. 21, then in Prince George from Oct. 2 to Nov. 2 then conclude in McBride at Nov. 13 to Dec. 14.
