Art exhibit provides creative perspectives of Saskatchewan landscapes

Kent Tate and Sharon Olson look at the Prairies differently.

In their work, Tate, a video artist, and Olson, a painter, explore the beauty of the Saskatchewan landscape, which they say is often hidden in plain sight.

Tate’s relaxed, time lapse videos depict the shifting landscape as clouds drift overhead while accompanied by an ambient soundscape derived from NASA recordings of the magnetosphere. Olson’s canvasses interpret the province’s topography as a series of winding, abstract paintings.

The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils has combined Tate and Olson’s work into an exhibition called Uncommon Landscapes. The show is touring the province and it is on display at the John V. Hicks Gallery at the Prince Albert Arts Centre until July 23.

“One of the virtues of the prairie landscape is that it’s in and of itself like an abstract painting or like conceptual art. On the surface it appears to be really simple and maybe really linear, but me and I think a lot of people are really invigorated and excited and really love the prairie landscape,” Tate said.

“For me it’s the very absence of apparent content that gives the Prairies such a rich meaning… Its elegance and its beauty are often hidden. You have to really look a little harder and participate more fully in that landscape to really understand it and see it and really fall in love with it.”

For more on this story, please read the Prince Albert Daily Herald¹s subscription-based print or e-editions.

 

Got to go:

What? Uncommon Landscapes by Kent Tate and Sharon Olson

Where? John V. Hicks Gallery

When? Until July 23

Admission: Free