52N 106W: Measured and Marked - Rodney Konopaki and Rhonda Neufeld
Reception: Saturday, June 17th, 2pm
June 17th to July 13th
Art Placement is pleased to present Rodney Konopaki and Rhonda Neufeld’s latest site-specific exhibition at the gallery. Inspired by urban and natural landscapes in and around the city of Saskatoon, the duo’s latest works expand upon their ongoing explorations into place. In works that bridge visual representation and physical experience, the artists propose multiple and unexpected strategies for visually recording time, space, and geography. Currently based in British Columbia, but with various prairie connections, Konopaki and Neufeld undertook a self-directed residency in Saskatoon in the summer of 2016, collecting the raw materials that would inform their studio explorations.

Konopaki and Neufeld’s artistic creations are representations of the landscape that step outside our expectations of the landscape genre. Their diverse body of work, including drawings, traditional prints, digital prints, photographs, and innovative composite works that fuse drawing and photography, are records of the experience of landscape rather than representations of its appearance. The physical characteristics of the landscape are still present, albeit in a non-literal sense -- topography translated through contour drawing, weather conditions conveyed through colour and atmosphere, and footsteps through the landscape transcribed as marks onto paper. Throughout their explorations of place, Konopaki and Neufeld’s third collaborator is chance. Both artists are stirred by the unexpected and their various strategies are often frameworks to nurture the operation of chance. As outsiders to the places they visit, they are also interested in the potential to bring fresh perspectives to aspects of a place that its residents may take for granted. We are delighted to have them share their impressions of Saskatoon with us and we encourage everyone to stop by the gallery to see a side of Saskatoon you might not have seen before. We hope you will join us for the opening reception on June 17th at 2:00pm; the artists will be in attendance.

Rodney Konopaki was born in Moose Jaw. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1972 and Master of Fine Arts in 1989, both from the University of Saskatchewan. From 1979-1987 he was a Master Printer at Tyler Graphics, Mount Kisco, New York, where he collaborated with artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, David Hockney and Frank Stella. In 2005, he accepted a Faculty position in the Printmaking Department at Emily Carr University and previously held teaching positions at The University of Saskatchewan (1989-1990) and Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta (1990-2005). He continues to explore new possibilities in printmaking, painting and drawing through a diverse range of solo and collaborative projects.

Rhonda Neufeld was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia and currently resides near Armstrong, British Columbia. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Regina. Her experience as an apiarist has lent a unique understanding and curiosity towards various natural phenomena which forms the basis for her printmaking, drawing and installation work. She has taught drawing and printmaking at numerous universities and colleges in Alberta and British Columbia, including Emily Carr University, University of British Columbia, Kwantlen University College (Surrey, BC), and the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Konopaki and Neufeld have developed and exhibited various collaborative projects since 2007. The artists will be installing in the gallery from June 13th to June 16th and they are happy to receive visitors while they work. The gallery is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Photo credit, individual works: Blaine Campbell

Installation images: