Look and Listen

Biography

Born, Peckham, England, August 7, 1950 Emigrated to Canada (Hamilton, Ontario), January 1956 Moved to Vancouver, B.C. January 1971 Presently living in Annieville, North Delta, British Columbia, Canada Artistic History: • Began writing 1974, drawing in 1956 , drawing in earnest 1993, carved first sculpture in 1994. • Academic Artistic Training: Currently enrolled in the School of Life. Memberships & Affiliations: • Past Executive Secretary Squamish Arts Council • Past Squamish Arts Council Membership Committee Chairperson • Member of The Squamish Writer’s Group • Member of Visuals, The Squamish Visual Artists Group. Literary Arts Achievements: • Interview and photograph artists and write the monthly article for the Squamish Public Library Foyer Art Gallery, published by the Squamish Chief, entertainment section. • Created Smashing Homes!, a bi-monthly article for the Squamish Chief — articles about buying, selling, and fixing up homes. • Created and drew a cartoon panel called Hardhats for BC Builder magazine. • Wrote, illustrated and published Peregrine’s Christmas Adventure, Book 1 of The Pottontot Chronicles, a 21,000 word children’s fiction chapter book. • Wrote, A Home for the Pottontots, Book 2 of The Pottontot Chronicles, a 27,000 word sequel. • Wrote and illustrated, My Name is Margaret!, a children’s picture book. • Published by The Royal BC Museum, Free Spirit: Sories of You, Me & BC, 'Paul George'. Visual Arts Achievements: Showings: • April 1994 Showed graphite drawings at Squamish Days Events. Mme Henri Bergeron, 1994 selected to be displayed in the Squamish community. Contact: Paul Pryce 898-4880 • May 1994 Showed graphite drawings in ICBC Corporate Head Office foyer. (viewer comments available upon request) • September 1994 to February 1995 Showed various sculptures at Queensdale Gallery, Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver. The Bather exhibited April 1996 Contact: Muriel Olson 986-3222 • February 1995 Sea to Sky Visual Edge juried competition, Mark George, 1994, was selected to go to the Provincial Images & Objects XIII showcase of the BC Festival of the Arts in Kamloops, B.C. • February 1995 to May 1996 Showed and sold various sculptures at Creekhouse Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, B.C. Contact: owners since retired • Winning entrant of the Squamish Arts Council New Logo Contest. • April 1995 Showed graphite drawings and bas relief carvings downtown Vancouver’s Azure Gallery. Contact: Ron Letourneau, 263-5845, 263-7106 • February 1996 The Bather, slate sculpture, was awarded Artist’s Choice Award in the Visual Edge 96, North Vancouver juried competition. • November 5-17, 1996 Showed graphite drawings and sculptures, titled Black and White, at the Silk Purse Art Gallery, West Vancouver. (viewer comments available upon request) • Wild At Art 2006, Squamish: Juried Art Competition: Black Rose • ArtSpacific 2008, 7th Annual Juried Art Exhibition: three pieces selected: Debbie Sparrow, Mark George, Paul George. Paul George won the Classic Gallery Framing Inc. Award of Excellence. Works In Progress: • Drawing portraits and writing the “life experiences” of six First Nations people, for publication entitled, "Original People, Six Coast Salish Portraits". See page 4. • "Poor Old Boat" Commission 36" x 48" oil on canvas. • "Sanquineus" 80” wide x 96” high, bas relief carving (20 - 16”x 24” slate panels) depicting twelve young First Nations boys playing. • The Christ A 52" x 16" high slate carving of Christ on the cross.. • Birds In Flight series 12” x 12” slate bas relief carving. • STONETRAITS: www.stonetraits.com Portaits of people carved in bas relief black slate. References: • Michael Fears, model for Father Black * • Paul & Shaune Pryce, patrons • Patricia A. MacDonald, Patron • Muriel Olson, Proprietor Queensdale Gallery, North Vancouver • David White, Patron, Proprietor Sleil Waututh Studio Gallery, North Vancouver * Father Black is a set of four, separately framed graphite drawings. Each drawing has a verse attached. See page 4. Artist’s Statement: While drawing a face, a piece of clothing, or a shock of hair, should I ever fail to become intrigued, astonished and delighted at seeing a mole pop off the paper, a fold of skin or skirt vanish into the shadows, or a wrinkle disappear around the side of the head, I will put away my pencils and take up house painting. People have said my drawings are like photographs, and I suspect some people don’t consider my drawings art. And that’s okay, because the excitement for me is in the doing; in losing myself completely inside one of the deep wrinkles, then, when it’s done, climbing back out of it to see what, if anything around me, has changed. And, I have fallen in love with carving slate! My first venture into this black rock was to carve Common Egret in a quarter inch thick slate tile. This led to Snow Geese, Common Egret II, Arctic Tern and Samurai Woman. Bas-relief tantalized my desire to carve a three dimensional object onto a one dimensional surface. The Bather is a progression of this desire. In both profiles, The Bather is a form of Bas relief, giving the impression of occupying space as would a full figure. Viewed from the front and from the back, The Bather has minimal form occupying minimal space. In The Bather, I tried to challenge the viewer’s perceptions of space and dimension, to show that what appears full and abundant from one point of view, is in fact without depth or substance from another. I am currently working on a 20 tile piece entitled, Sanquineus and a 52" x 16" piece entitled, The Christ. Father Black was done in the pointillism style, with a graphite pencil on parchment. The first in this series was done at a time in my life when I was very depressed, and without hope for the future. I had no Father Black to lighten my heart, and take from me my burden of misery. So I created one in the only way I knew how -- with a sheet of paper and a very black pencil. The light, the lamp standard, the brick wall and Father Black are constant in each of the views as we walk around this enigmatic soul. Father Black is there for the Prostitutes, the Beggars, the Drunks, the Derelicts, the Street People, to relieve them of their burdens, lighten their souls, and send them on their way. Paul George, 1994, Mark George, 1995, Stan Joseph and Debbie Sparrow will appear in a book entitled, ORIGINAL PEOPLE, Six Coast Salish Portraits, Volume 1, sometime in the future. Volume I, is the first in a series of unique books that attempts to give the reader a sense of how mainstream First Nations people feel about their past, present and future lives, and how they feel about current Native issues. The people in this book tell of their lives, thoughts feelings and opinions in a close-up and personal way for all to see and understand. The six Original People are neither famous nor politically active. However their lives are important; their experiences are unique; their feelings and emotions varied. These things are clearly inscribed on their faces. Emotions, hardships and happy times shine in their eyes, wrinkle their brow and turn the corners of their mouth up – or down. KEITH FREDERICK BROAD phone: 604-589-8805 email: keith@keithbroad.com

Inspiration

My father. People in general. I find everyone's life-story to be fascinating.