[BCMA] For Immediate Release: Alistair Bell's Animals: Portraits of the Wild Opening at the Burnaby Art Gallery

Wed Apr 6 10:54:51 PDT 2011

 [cid:763211716 at 11022011-142A]

News Release
For Immediate Release: April 6, 2011
Contact: Sher Hackwell, Marketing Assistant, Burnaby Art Gallery
Tel. 604.297.4414   Email:sher.hackwell at burnaby.ca

Alistair Bell's Animals: Portraits of the Wild Opening at the Burnaby Art Gallery
(BURNABY, BC)  Alistair Bell's prints are an important part of the City of Burnaby's Permanent Art Collection. In 2010 Allan Bell donated a significant number of prints and preliminary sketches of some of the most notable works created by his father. This exhibition shall explore Bell's creative arc from its early beginnings until his death in 1997.

Alistair Macready Bell (b at Darlington, Eng 21 Oct 1913; d at Vancouver, BC 12 Oct 1997) is recognized as one of Canada's finest print-making artists of the 20th century. Bell immigrated to Vancouver in 1929 and enrolled in the Vancouver School of Art in 1935, where he had access to an artist's press.

Bell worked as a draftsman in a structural steel plant until 1967, when he turned his attention to being a full-time artist. He soon established himself for his talent in the graphic media including drypoint, etching, lithography, wood engraving and woodcutting. By his own admission, Bell was always drawn to subject matter in which the linear, rhythmic quality of shape predominated. His depictions of boats, birds and animals are charged, expressionist renderings at once recognizable as quintessential "Bell" interpretations.

The artist travelled to the world's famous zoos sketching the exotic birds and animals that became the subjects for many of the more than 250 prints he created over a 60-year period. He exhibited in Europe, Latin America, Canada and the US, and his works are in the Victoria and Albert Museum in England, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Gallery in Ottawa. Major exhibitions of his work were organized by the Burnaby Art Gallery in 1971 and at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) in 1981. His entire print oeuvre is in the permanent collection of the AGGV - from the Art Encyclopedia.
Alistair Bell's Animals: Portraits of the Wild
April 14 - June 19, 2011
Reception: April 14, 5 pm

[cid:826172123 at 01042011-2FFB]
Alistair Bell
Pied Hornbill
1978
Edition 2/20
Mezzotint on paper
21.9 x 10.9 cm
City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection, 1979.060
Purchase, 1979
(c) Estate of Alistair Bell, 2011

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Alistair Bell Programming at the Burnaby Art Gallery

In the B.A.G. Free Family Sunday Programs
Join us for an interactive experience that combines the current gallery exhibit with a free, hands-on studio activity starting every half hour from 1:00-3:30pm.
No registration required, all ages welcome.  Free admission.

Alistair Bell Exhibit
Sunday, April 17
1-4pm

Lunch BAG Days
Tour the current exhibit with the gallery's public programmer then enjoy a lunch of fresh greens, breads, tapas, a tasty cheese selection and something sweet with your tea and coffee.   Pre-registration required. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance of tour. Cancellation without 24 hours notice will not be refunded. $9.00 per single registration.  Call to register 604.297.4422

Alistair Bell Exhibit
Friday, April 29
12-1pm
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The Burnaby Art Gallery is dedicated to collecting, preserving and presenting a contemporary and historical visual art program by local, national and internationally recognized artists. As the stewards of the third largest public art museum collection within the province, the Burnaby Art Gallery cares for and manages over 4000 works of art. The Burnaby Art Gallery is a nationally recognized leader in print culture dedicated to showcasing original hand pulled prints and ephemera related to printmaking in Canada. The Gallery also provides a diverse and challenging range of educational programs for the general public and Metro Vancouver schools.

For more information about the Gallery's exhibits, programs, tours or registration call 604.297.4422 or visit.burnabyartgallery.ca. Located in the beautiful surroundings of Deer Lake Park, the Burnaby Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am-4:30pm and Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm. Admission is free.

The Burnaby Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges the funding support provided by:

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