When I was a broke student, back in the day, I trudged past the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) on my way to the University of Winnipeg, and I visited it a lot, on the free admission days because I had no extra money.
I loved the WAG. Loved its brutalist design and the way, when the door closed behind you, it hushed the street sound. I loved the high entranceway ceilings and the oversized paintings often hanging on the Tyndall stone (Manitoba limestone) walls. I marvelled at the ancient fossils embedded in the polished Tyndall stone stairs. And, most of all, I loved the galleries. I couldn’t afford to travel, but in the art I could see Canada and the world.
The building now sits differently in its cityscape, because taller buildings have grown up behind it. But it’s still pretty impressive, in its brutal minimalistic way.
And now, the WAG has a great new addition called Qaumajuq, to house what was formerly called the Inuit Art Centre. I hadn’t wandered downtown for sometime, even though it’s not far from where I live, so I hadn’t seen the finished structure. I took photos, of course.
Qaumajuq officially opens this month.
And, by the way, my book is out and now available worldwide in/through your local bookstores or from https://atbaypress.com/books/detail/glass-bricks.
Through Camera & Pen 