Sculptor John Greer has won the 2009 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. According to a press release from the AGNS, who nominated the artist for the award, Greer “was the catalyst behind Halifax Sculpture, a 1990s movement, rooted in minimalism and conceptualism. He taught at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design for over 25 years, was a founding member of one of Canada’s first artist-run centres (Eyelevel Gallery, Halifax), and is a long-term supporter of CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens). Over the past 30 years,
Greer’s work has been included in some 60 group and 50 solo exhibitions, and in over 20 collections at home and abroad.”
You probably recognize Greer’s sculpture, Origins, from the AGNS’ courtyard:
Origins, 1995. Bronze, 384 x 272 x 104 cm.
My own personal favourite of Greer’s work is his Single Grain of Rice, from 1991. It’s so quiet and contemplative, but somehow still majestic.
Single Grain of Rice, 1991. Marble, 173 x 50 x 30 cm
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2009.