World-class artist Peter Tucker set up his home in Weyburn last summer, moving from Montreal for a fresh start. For the months of May and June, ten of his past works are on display at the Weyburn Credit Union Gallery.
For Tucker, art is a subjective yet thematic reflection on life. One recurring theme that permeates his works, from sketches to paintings to wooden spheres, is that of the simple prairie landscape.
"I spent almost four years in Saskatchewan as a child," said Tucker, "and that stayed with me. The work that I've done that looks like Saskatchewan landscapes, I've done whether I've been in Vancouver or in Montreal. So I knew that I wanted to come back and see what it was about Saskatchewan that made such an impression that stuck with me all these years."
Tucker's various landscape works, however, go beyond folk appreciation, conveying feelings about the prairies through layers of texture and patterns of structure - natural and man-made.
"It was more about just coming to this province and seeing the skies and the flatness and beauty of it - the subtle beauty, unlike the mountains or the ocean," he noted. "It's a beauty that you really have to take time to appreciate."
Since he only arrived in mid-July of 2012, which was followed by quite a long winter, Tucker has not yet had many opportunities to explore the local landscape. He said he is looking forward to this summer here in Weyburn.
"I'm set up to work through the summer, so I'll be taking forays out into the landscape and doing some camping and then coming back and working in the studio," he said.
The artist is preparing for upcoming shows in Vancouver and Montreal and he is open to various opportunities, including some international prospects.
Nonetheless, Tucker noted that he has found Weyburn's arts community to be quite encouraging.
"Everybody has been very supportive," he said, noting that he was offered a show at the Credit Union Gallery almost immediately upon his arrival in Weyburn. He will also have a full show in 2015 at the Allie Griffin Gallery.
For Tucker, it's all about the art. Each piece, each painting, each sculpture tells a story.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," said Tucker. "Someone might see something in a piece of art that resonates with an experience they had - you can never tell."
On display at the Credit Union are drawings and paintings. Although each piece varies in subject matter, all are studies in structure and form.
"Drawings are like a journal to me," said Tucker. "They tell a story about where I've been."
Tucker is currently working on his unique wooden spherical sculptures and is hoping to create enough pieces for a full exhibit. As a selling artist, however, Tucker is finding a balance between amassing a collection of work to show, while making a living creating and selling his art.
No matter the calibre or background of an artist, in order to qualify for a travelling exhibit with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils, certain channels must be taken.
On April 16, art adjudicator Ward Schell of Regina Beach was in Weyburn for the ArtReach annual local art adjudication. Each of the artists, some seasoned and some new, was given a critique of his or her submitted works. Tucker received an honourable mention for his series of drawings.
"Ward told me that the reason that he didn't pick me was, in part, because of the work that I exhibited. He felt that because they were older pieces and they didn't have as much continuity, it would be better to submit my current work and there would be a better chance to get a solo show, rather than being part of a group show," he said, adding that he had shown Schell his current works earlier that day. Schell suggested Tucker apply directly to OSAC with his current pieces, rather than waiting for next year's adjudication series.
"When a critique is given by someone who is well-steeped in the arts and has a history, then it can be very valuable," said Tucker, adding that he could have used more criticism.
"Everything I do has to do with my vision, my perspective on the world," he said, noting that most of his current projects explore issues of self-knowledge.
"It's all about identity and the fact that that's been a struggle for me my whole life - trying to find my place, trying to find where I belong. It's why I searched for my biological parents. Then, even after finding them, the search goes on - I am still unearthing all of these parts of myself. It's taking a lifetime and it's kind of made me a bit of a late bloomer."
The global arts community can certainly expect more exciting things from Peter Tucker, whose body of work will surely one day become renowned for representing the changing face of the prairies, as well as its art scene.
