Canadian icon Robert Bateman turns 94 today
You can meet the famous wildlife painter on July 6th at the Penticton Art Gallery
By Monique Tamminga
Legendary Canadian wildlife painter Robert Bateman will be making a visit to Penticton this summer with the Art Gallery hosting an exhibit of his work that spans so many decades.
On July 5 until Sept. 14, the Penticton Art Gallery will host an exhibition titled “Unexpected Bateman,” showcasing the 94-year-old’s artistic journey and highlights his contributions to the visual arts and conservation.
The following day, July 6th, there are two chances to meet Bateman during an intimate artist talk and book signing at 11:30 a.m. for PAG members and sponsors, followed by a public meet and greet in the evening. More information on registration for both of these events is coming very soon, so stay tuned to the gallery’s social media channels and website.
“Unexpected Bateman,” invites visitors to delve into Bateman’s multifaceted artistic journey spanning over nine decades. While Bateman is widely celebrated for his realistic portrayals of wildlife and nature, this exhibition aims to unveil lesser-known facets of his oeuvre, challenging preconceptions and inviting viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of his work, said PAG curator Paul Crawford.
From his early explorations in representational art to his later forays into abstraction, “Unexpected Bateman” promises to be a journey of discovery, shedding new light on a Canadian icon.
According to Bateman’s biography, he taught high school for 20 years including two in Nigeria before leaving the profession in 1976 to paint full-time.
Along with his artist/conservationist wife Birgit, the couple travelled the world to many remote natural areas. The family moved to Salt Spring Island in 1985.
Bateman has been a naturalist from his early days, says his biography. He has always painted wildlife and nature, beginning with a representation style, moving through impressionism and cubism to abstract expressionism. In his early 30s, he moved back to realism as a more suitable way to express the particularity of the planet. It is this style that has made him one of the foremost artists depicting the world of nature. To find out more about the meet and greet and exhibition, go online at Penticton Art Gallery.
